Villa Tugendhat

A Masterpiece of Modernism & Design Furniture

Nestled in the hills of Brno, Czech Republic, Villa Tugendhat stands as a beacon of modernist architecture and design. Designed by the legendary Ludwig Mies van der Rohe between 1928 and 1930, this architectural gem continues to inspire with its revolutionary approach to space, light, and materials. But beyond its architectural brilliance, Villa Tugendhat is also a showcase for some of the most iconic furniture designs of the 20th century, including the Tugendhat Chair and the Barcelona Chair.

The Architectural Marvel of Villa Tugendhat

Villa Tugendhat was commissioned by Fritz and Grete Tugendhat, a wealthy industrialist couple, who wanted a home that embodied the avant-garde spirit of the time. Mies van der Rohe, with his visionary approach, created a structure that broke away from traditional residential design. The villa’s open-plan layout, extensive use of glass, and integration with the surrounding landscape were groundbreaking. The seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, along with the use of luxurious materials like onyx, rare woods, and chrome, made the villa a symbol of modern elegance.

The Tugendhat Chair
A Custom Design for an Iconic Home

One of the most notable pieces of furniture inside Villa Tugendhat is the Tugendhat Chair, designed by Mies van der Rohe in collaboration with Lilly Reich. This chair was created specifically for the villa’s living room, reflecting the minimalist yet luxurious aesthetic that defines the entire space.

The Tugendhat Chair, with its clean lines, chrome-plated steel frame, and sumptuous leather upholstery, is a masterpiece of functional design. Its form is both simple and elegant, perfectly complementing the open, airy spaces of the villa. The chair’s design is a testament to Mies’s belief in the union of form and function, a principle that guided much of his work.

The Barcelona Chair
A Design Icon with Tugendhat Connections

While the Tugendhat Chair was custom-designed for the villa, another of Mies van der Rohe’s creations, the Barcelona Chair, is often associated with Villa Tugendhat due to its stylistic similarities and shared design philosophy. The Barcelona Chair was originally created for the German Pavilion at the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona, and it quickly became one of Mies’s most famous designs.

The Barcelona Chair, like the Tugendhat Chair, embodies the principles of modernism with its sleek, geometric form and luxurious materials. Its iconic design, featuring a stainless steel frame and leather cushions, has made it a symbol of sophisticated modern living. Although not originally part of Villa Tugendhat’s furniture, the Barcelona Chair’s design is often seen as a natural extension of the ideas that Mies explored in the villa.

Shop the look

Footnotes: 
Text and Images: Mary Gaudin - capmoderne.com