Modernists Abroad

Villa Tugendhat; Brno, Czechoslovakia

Fritz and Greta Tugendhat commissioned Mies van der Rohe to design this house, completed in 1930 in Brno, in what was then Czechoslovakia. The three-story villa built on a slope reflected Mies’s emphasis on functionalism. An iron framework allowed Mies to arrange the austere open interior for maximum space and light. Mies designed all the furnishings in collaboration with his partner Lilly Reich, including the so-called Tugendhat chairs designed specifically for this house and shown in a row of three on the right of this interior view. Another example of the Tugendhat chair is seen below.

Johnson wrote on his visit to the house: “One cannot see anything from pictures. It is a three-dimensional thing which simply can’t be seen in two. It is without question the best-looking house in the world.”

© Estate of Lüdwig Mies Van der Rohe / SOCAN (2019)

Watch the video

Black-and-white interior view of living and dining rooms showing a minimalistic arrangement of modern furniture including Tugendhat chair.

The collection

Cantilevered armchair with strap-steel frame and cushions for the seat and back covered in greyish-brown leather.

1929-30

Tugendhat Chair

Designed by: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969)

Material: Chromium-plated steel, leather

Produced by: Berliner Metallgewerbe Joseph Muller, Germany

Dimensions: 87.3 x 76.8 x 70.2 cm

© Estate of Lüdwig Mies Van der Rohe / SOCAN (2019).

Transcription

0:00:00 – 0:00:10

The city of Stuttgart is highlighted on an old map on the left side of the image. The image moves on the old map to simulate the movement from Stuttgart to the city of Brno. At the same time a black and white video shows a moving train on the right side of the image. The sound of a moving train plays in background. Cesko-Slovensko is written in white on a black background in the center of the image.

0:00:10 – 0:00:31

The old map on which the city of Brno is highlighted always appears on the left side of the image. Brno is written in white on a black background in the center of the image. On the right side of the image, black and white videos scroll. We can see an old church in the city of Brno, two men in suits walking from behind, vehicles driving through the city, merchants, a bridge and chic people walking in a street. Bells and music play in the background.

0:00:31 – 0:00:34

A detailed and colourful map of the city of Brno appears to the left of the image. Villa Tugendhat is written in white on a black background in the center of the image. On the right side of the image, a black and white photo of the Tugendhat Villa appears. Music plays in the background.

0:00:34 – 0:00:39

A map of Villa Tugendhat appears on the left side of the image. On the right side of the image, a black and white photo shows a room inside the villa. There are benches, a glass table, a white table and a stone statue. Piano and accordion play in the background.

0:00:39 – 0:01:00

A black and white image of the architect Ludwing Mies Van Der Rohe appears on the left side of the image. A new black and white photo showing the inside of the villa appears on the right side of the image. There is a living room and a dining room. Piano and accordion play in the background.