It’s been 30 years since the recreation of Mies van der Rohe's feted Barcelona Pavilion. To commemorate its anniversary, Fundació Mies van der Rohe, the nonprofit organisation that manages the property, has launched an exciting program of events.
Designed in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exhibition, the beautifully refined glass, steel and marble structure was quickly disassembled in 1930. Half a century passed with only photographs and drawings for reference; but though long gone, the structure was not forgotten, fondly remembered by the world as a shining example of van der Rohe’s architectural genius and 20th-century modernism. Work began in 1983 to reconstruct the iconic building on its original site, with the Pavilion finally reaching completion in 1986.
The opening of the anniversary celebrations, attended by the Mayoress of Barcelona and members of the team responsible for the Pavilion’s reconstruction, will commence with the unveiling of an artistic reinterpretation of the columns that were situated next to the 1929 original, designed by Catalan modernist Josep Puig i Cadafalch. ‘Fear of Columns’, an open competition, called for proposals to envision a temporary reinterpretation of the original context, to be located adjacent to the new Pavilion.
From 121 entries, the panel of judges unanimously opted for Spanish architect Luis Martínez Santa-María’s submission as the winner, with a project titled ‘I don’t want to change the world. I only want to express it’ – named after a quote from van der Rohe himself.
The installation, consisting of eight tall columns, will be constructed from a number of sheet steel drums retrieved from chemical waste cemeteries and welded together. The project, described by Santa-María as ‘objets d’art’, was cited by the judging panel as being contemporary and compelling due to its contrast to the pavilion's horizontal form.
The program of events will continue with the Pavilion remaining open to the public over five days, providing neighbours, citizens and travelers with the opportunity to visit. On 16 June, Tristán Perich will unveil his three-day long installation Microtonal Wall, consisting of 1,500 loudspeakers on a 7.5m aluminium panel, which will fill the Pavilion's interior with a range of sounds.
In the month of October, the Pavilion will host a three-day symposium covering a wide range of topics related to van der Rohe, modern architecture and its close relationship to the Bauhaus school and the Weimar Republic.
Designed in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exhibition, the beautifully refined glass, steel and marble structure was taken down only a few months after its creation.
Three decades ago, it was decided that the Pavilion, fondly remembered by the world, would be reconstructed.
In 1983, works began on site, with the structure reaching completion in 1986
The anniversary celebrations, launched by the Mayoress of Barcelona and members of the team responsible for the Pavilion’s reconstruction, will commence with the unveiling of Spanish architect Luis Martínez Santa-María’s new installation, pictured
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Fundació Mies van der Rohe’s website
ADDRESS
Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 7
08038 Barcelona
-
Herzog & de Meuron and Piet Oudolf unveil Calder Gardens in PhiladelphiaThe new cultural landmark presents Alexander Calder’s work in dialogue with nature and architecture, alongside the release of Jacques Herzog’s 'Sketches & Notes'. Ellie Stathaki interviews Herzog about the project.
-
Beloved British screenwriter Dennis Potter inspires an exhibition with a difference at Studio VoltaireHilary Lloyd's multi-faceted exhibition at Studio Voltaire considers Dennis Potter's life and work, from much-loved TV classics to power inequalities
-
Insert here: London Design Festival gets intimate with insertable designAt London Design Festival, Heirloom Studio showcases 36 objects – some life-saving, some pleasure-giving, all made to go inside the body
-
The best of California desert architecture, from midcentury gems to mirrored dwellingsWhile architecture has long employed strategies to cool buildings in arid environments, California desert architecture developed its own distinct identity –giving rise, notably, to a wave of iconic midcentury designs
-
A restored Eichler home is a peerless piece of West Coast midcentury modernismWe explore an Eichler home, and Californian developer Joseph Eichler’s legacy of design, as a fine example of his progressive house-building programme hits the market
-
The Architecture Edit: Wallpaper’s houses of the monthWallpaper* has spotlighted an array of remarkable architecture in the past month – from a pink desert home to structures that appears to float above the ground. These are the houses and buildings that most captured our attention in August 2025
-
La Maison de la Baie de l’Ours melds modernism into the shores of a Québécois lakeACDF Architecture’s grand family retreat in Quebec offers a series of flowing living spaces and private bedrooms beneath a monumental wooden roof
-
This cinematic home in Palm Springs sets a new standard for Desert Modern designJill Lewis Architecture and landscape architecture firm Hoerr Schaudt joined forces to envision an exceptional sanctuary
-
Hilborn House, one of Arthur Erickson’s few residential projects, is now on the marketThe home, first sketched on an envelope at Montreal Airport, feels like a museum of modernist shapes, natural materials and indoor-outdoor living
-
Inside a Donald Wexler house so magical, its owner bought it twiceSo transfixed was Daniel Patrick Giles, founder of fragrance brand Perfumehead, he's even created a special scent devoted to it
-
Maison Louis Carré, the only Alvar Aalto house in France, reopens after restorationDesigned by the modernist architect in the 1950s as the home of art dealer Louis Carré, the newly restored property is now open to visit again – take our tour
