1/7
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Considered by historians to be one of the most important architect of the 20th century and one whose work left a legacy in architectural theory.
American, born Germany. 1886–1969
“
You have to build up the world you want to live in
Originally conceived to represent Germany at the International Exposition.
1929
Situated in the heart of Barcelona, Spain, the Barcelona Pavilion serves as a cornerstone of modern architecture, symbolizing a blend of cultural heritage and avant-garde design.
Barcelona Pavillon
“
I don't want to be interesting.
I want to be good.
Design approach
Mies van der Rohe's approach in the Barcelona Pavilion redefines architectural space through fluidity and openness, utilizing planes rather than volumes and integrating the indoors with the outdoors to craft an experiential journey that transcends traditional boundaries.
Architectural language
The architectural language of the Barcelona Pavilion is marked by its sleek, minimalist aesthetic, featuring pioneering use of materials such as marble, travertine, and onyx, combined with precise geometric forms and the innovative incorporation of reflective water surfaces, encapsulating the essence of modernism with timeless elegance.
Farnsworth House
1951
Nestled in a serene, natural landscape along the Fox River in Plano, Illinois, USA, the Farnsworth House emerges as a harmonious intersection of architecture and nature, offering a tranquil retreat that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Design approach
Emphasizing transparency and simplicity. Creating an uncluttered living space that speaks volumes about the potential of modern architecture to cater to functional living through elegant simplicity.
Architectural language
The Farnsworth House stands as an iconic testament to the International Style of architecture, with its clear structural framework, use of industrial materials like steel and glass, and the seamless flow of spaces, articulating a language of openness, fluidity, and visual lightness.
The last masterpiece of
Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe
1968
The Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin stands as a testament to minimalism amidst the city's cultural heart, reflecting Mies van der Rohe's mastery in blending urbanity with spatial simplicity.
Neue Nationalgalerie
“
It is logical for architecture to change as the way we live also changes.
Location & context
The Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin stands as a testament to minimalism amidst the city's cultural heart, reflecting Mies van der Rohe's mastery in blending urbanity with spatial simplicity.
Design approach
With its emphasis on open space and transparency, the gallery's design encapsulates the minimalist principle of reduction, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow, form and material.
Architectural language
The gallery's iconic, steel-framed, glass-enclosed upper pavilion, supported by sleek, cruciform columns, showcases Mies's minimalist aesthetic, merging structural innovation with visual clarity.
2/7
Dieter Rams
Iconic figure that profoundly shaped minimalist product design with his functional, aesthetic innovations.
German, born 1932
“
Less, but better
Braun Heritage
The making of an iconic signature
1960-1980
Under Dieter Rams' leadership, the design team created over 500 products, ranging from shavers to audio equipment.
The consistency in design not only reinforced the brand's identity but also elevated the user experience, making Braun synonymous with high-quality, well-designed consumer electronics.
A visual and operational harmony among diverse products, making Braun's offerings distinctively recognizable and intuitively usable.
Rams Documentary
2018, 2 minutes
10 Principles
A timeless manifesto
1979
Articulating a universal, human-centered philosophy of design that transcended trends, influencing not just product aesthetics but the ethical responsibility of designers worldwide.
Good design is innovative
The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.
Good design makes a product useful
A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
Good design is aesthetic
The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products we use every day affect our person and our well-being. But only well-executed objects can be beautiful.
Good design makes a product understandable
A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
Good design is unbotrusive
Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user's self-expression.
Good design is honest
It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.
Good design is long-lasting
It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years - even in today's throwaway society.
Good design is thorough down to the last detail
Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the user.
Good design is environmentally friendly
Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimises physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.
Good design is as little design as possible
Less, but better - because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.
Good design is innovative
Good design makes a product useful
Good design is aesthetic
Good design makes a product understandable
Good design is unbotrusive
Good design is honest
Good design is long-lasting
Good design is thorough down to the last detail
Good design is environmentally friendly
Good design is as little design as possible
The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.
3/7
Charlotte Perriand
Her work redefined living spaces with the integration of the human experience, simplicity and practical elegance.
French, 1903–1999
“
The important thing is not the object but the man
Modernist Foundations
Together with Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret
1927-1937
Charlotte Perriand masterfully combined the industrial strength of steel with the natural warmth of leather,
Enduring Influence
Her work profoundly influenced the evolution of modern architecture and design, bridging cultural divides and pioneering the integration of the human experience with the environment.
Design philosophy
Prioritized functionality, simplicity, and the honest expression of materials
Natural Modularism
Thriving alone
Functional Harmony
Creating spaces and objects that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly practical. Merging natural materials with modular concepts.
Human-Centric Design
Charlotte Perriand's approach to the relationship between humans and their homes centered on creating spaces that not only catered to the practical aspects of daily life but also fostered emotional well-being, aiming for environments that were as nurturing as they were functional.
Architectural Approach
Her architectural vision seamlessly blended the built environment with the natural world, emphasizing light, space, and form to create structures that were both functional and in profound dialogue with their surroundings, reflecting a deep respect for the interplay between nature and human habitation.
4/7
Alvaro Siza Viera
Celebrated for his poetic modernism, masterfully blends minimalist aesthetics with organic forms in his architectural works.
Portuguese, born 1933
“
Architects don’t invent anything; they transform reality
Expo'98 Portuguese National Pavilion
Theme: Ocean
The pavilion's design, with its fluid forms and open spaces, symbolized openness and exploration, resonating with the Expo's oceanic theme.
A significant achievement in concrete construction
Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art
1 year later
1999
Situated in Porto, Portugal, this museum is integrated within the historic Serralves Estate.
The existing gardens and the villa on the estate influenced Siza's design.
Architectural language
Clean lines, uncluttered aesthetic, and thoughtful use of natural light
& 11 years later
2010
Located in Yongin, South Korea, this project demanded a sensitive approach to merge both the local cultural context and the company's identity.
Amore Pacific Research & Design Center
Design philosophy
Focused on creating a functional an inspiring workplace
Siza' signature
Simple geometric forms and white surfaces to reflect the purity and innovation associated with the Amore Pacific brand.
5/7
Donald Judd
Pivotal Minimalist artist, revolutionized art with his stark, geometric sculptures that redefine space and form.
American, 1928–1994
“
Design has to work. Art does not.
Stripping art to its essence, creating objects that exist purely in space and form without narrative or emotion
Artist Lecture - Amie Siegel on Donald Judd
2021, 58 minutes
Judd | MoMA EXHIBITION
2020, 2 minutes
Where art provokes and design solves, Minimalism unites them in clarity and simplicity, leaving only what’s essential.
6/7
Ellsworth Kelly
A key figure in Minimalism, celebrated for his bold, monochromatic canvases that distill visual experience into pure color and shape.
American, 1923–2015
“
The negative is just as important as the positive
Ellsworth Kelly on Abstraction
2019, 4min
Kelly employs monochromatic schemes and simple shapes that harmonize with their surroundings, reflecting a deep understanding of the spatial and contextual relationship between art and its environment.
Kelly's art is a masterful exploration of color and form, stripping away the superfluous to focus on the essence of visual experience.
Kelly transforms environments through the interplay of light, color, and form, creating dynamic visual experiences that engage the viewer in a dialogue with the physical space.
7/7
Hans J. Wagner
Pioneer of Danish minimalist style and wood furniture - simply one of Scandinavia's most admired designers.
Danish, 1914–2007
“
A chair is to have no backside. It should be beautiful from all sides and angles.
Wegner, also known as the ‘Master of the Chair’, designed more than 500 chairs during his career – many of which are considered masterpieces.
Functional Beauty
His designs were deeply rooted in the belief that beauty arises from utility, embodying a seamless blend of form and function.
Craft Over Mass Production
Wegner prioritized traditional craftsmanship techniques, ensuring each piece of furniture was not only aesthetically pleasing but also exceptionally well-made.
Ergonomic Focus
Wegner's furniture is celebrated for its comfort and ergonomics, designed to support the human body naturally and elegantly.
Minimal Index
An exploration of aesthetic purity and functional clarity.
1 font weight, 1 page, 2 shades of grey, 7 minimalists, 127 images, 90 000px of infinite scroll
1/7
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Considered by historians to be one of the most important architect of the 20th century and one whose work left a legacy in architectural theory.
American, born Germany. 1886–1969
“
You have to build up the world you want to live in
Originally conceived to represent Germany at the International Exposition.
1929
Situated in the heart of Barcelona, Spain, the Barcelona Pavilion serves as a cornerstone of modern architecture, symbolizing a blend of cultural heritage and avant-garde design.
Barcelona Pavillon
“
I don't want to be interesting.
I want to be good.
Design approach
Mies van der Rohe's approach in the Barcelona Pavilion redefines architectural space through fluidity and openness, utilizing planes rather than volumes and integrating the indoors with the outdoors to craft an experiential journey that transcends traditional boundaries.
Architectural language
The architectural language of the Barcelona Pavilion is marked by its sleek, minimalist aesthetic, featuring pioneering use of materials such as marble, travertine, and onyx, combined with precise geometric forms and the innovative incorporation of reflective water surfaces, encapsulating the essence of modernism with timeless elegance.
Farnsworth House
1951
Nestled in a serene, natural landscape along the Fox River in Plano, Illinois, USA, the Farnsworth House emerges as a harmonious intersection of architecture and nature, offering a tranquil retreat that blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Design approach
Emphasizing transparency and simplicity. Creating an uncluttered living space that speaks volumes about the potential of modern architecture to cater to functional living through elegant simplicity.
Architectural language
The Farnsworth House stands as an iconic testament to the International Style of architecture, with its clear structural framework, use of industrial materials like steel and glass, and the seamless flow of spaces, articulating a language of openness, fluidity, and visual lightness.
The last masterpiece of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe
1968
The Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin stands as a testament to minimalism amidst the city's cultural heart, reflecting Mies van der Rohe's mastery in blending urbanity with spatial simplicity.
Neue Nationalgalerie
“
It is logical for architecture to change as the way we live also changes.
Location & context
The Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin stands as a testament to minimalism amidst the city's cultural heart, reflecting Mies van der Rohe's mastery in blending urbanity with spatial simplicity.
Design approach
With its emphasis on open space and transparency, the gallery's design encapsulates the minimalist principle of reduction, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow, form and material.
Architectural language
The gallery's iconic, steel-framed, glass-enclosed upper pavilion, supported by sleek, cruciform columns, showcases Mies's minimalist aesthetic, merging structural innovation with visual clarity.
2/7
Dieter Rams
Iconic figure that profoundly shaped minimalist product design with his functional, aesthetic innovations.
German, born 1932
“
Less, but better
Braun Heritage
The making of an iconic signature
1960-1980
Under Dieter Rams' leadership, the design team created over 500 products, ranging from shavers to audio equipment.
The consistency in design not only reinforced the brand's identity but also elevated the user experience, making Braun synonymous with high-quality, well-designed consumer electronics.
A visual and operational harmony among diverse products, making Braun's offerings distinctively recognizable and intuitively usable.
Rams Documentary
2018, 2 minutes
10 Principles
A timeless manifesto
1979
Articulating a universal, human-centered philosophy of design that transcended trends, influencing not just product aesthetics but the ethical responsibility of designers worldwide.
Good design is innovative
The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.
Good design makes a product useful
A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
Good design is aesthetic
The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products we use every day affect our person and our well-being. But only well-executed objects can be beautiful.
Good design makes a product understandable
A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional, but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product whilst disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
Good design is unbotrusive
Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user's self-expression.
Good design is honest
It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept.
Good design is long-lasting
It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years - even in today's throwaway society.
Good design is thorough down to the last detail
Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the user.
Good design is environmentally friendly
Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimises physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.
Good design is as little design as possible
Less, but better - because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.
Good design is innovative
Good design makes a product useful
Good design is aesthetic
Good design makes a product understandable
Good design is unbotrusive
Good design is honest
Good design is long-lasting
Good design is thorough down to the last detail
Good design is environmentally friendly
Good design is as little design as possible
The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.
3/7
Charlotte Perriand
Her work redefined living spaces with the integration of the human experience, simplicity and practical elegance.
French, 1903–1999
“
The important thing is not the object but the man
Modernist Foundations
Together with Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret
1927-1937
Charlotte Perriand masterfully combined the industrial strength of steel with the natural warmth of leather,
Enduring Influence
Her work profoundly influenced the evolution of modern architecture and design, bridging cultural divides and pioneering the integration of the human experience with the environment.
Design philosophy
Prioritized functionality, simplicity, and the honest expression of materials
Natural Modularism
Thriving alone
Functional Harmony
Creating spaces and objects that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly practical. Merging natural materials with modular concepts.
Human-Centric Design
Charlotte Perriand's approach to the relationship between humans and their homes centered on creating spaces that not only catered to the practical aspects of daily life but also fostered emotional well-being, aiming for environments that were as nurturing as they were functional.
Architectural Approach
Her architectural vision seamlessly blended the built environment with the natural world, emphasizing light, space, and form to create structures that were both functional and in profound dialogue with their surroundings, reflecting a deep respect for the interplay between nature and human habitation.
4/7
Alvaro Siza Viera
Celebrated for his poetic modernism, masterfully blends minimalist aesthetics with organic forms in his architectural works.
Portuguese, born 1933
“
Architects don’t invent anything; they transform reality
Expo'98 Portuguese National Pavilion
Theme: Ocean
The pavilion's design, with its fluid forms and open spaces, symbolized openness and exploration, resonating with the Expo's oceanic theme.
A significant achievement in concrete construction
Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art
1 year later
1999
Situated in Porto, Portugal, this museum is integrated within the historic Serralves Estate.
The existing gardens and the villa on the estate influenced Siza's design.
Architectural language
Clean lines, uncluttered aesthetic, and thoughtful use of natural light
& 11 years later
2010
Located in Yongin, South Korea, this project demanded a sensitive approach to merge both the local cultural context and the company's identity.
Amore Pacific Research & Design Center
Design philosophy
Focused on creating a functional an inspiring workplace
Siza' signature
Simple geometric forms and white surfaces to reflect the purity and innovation associated with the Amore Pacific brand.
5/7
Donald Judd
Pivotal Minimalist artist, revolutionized art with his stark, geometric sculptures that redefine space and form.
American, 1928–1994
“
Design has to work. Art does not.
Stripping art to its essence, creating objects that exist purely in space and form without narrative or emotion
Artist Lecture - Amie Siegel on Donald Judd
2021, 58 minutes
Judd | MoMA EXHIBITION
2020, 2 minutes
Where art provokes and design solves, Minimalism unites them in clarity and simplicity, leaving only what’s essential.
6/7
Ellsworth Kelly
A key figure in Minimalism, celebrated for his bold, monochromatic canvases that distill visual experience into pure color and shape.
American, 1923–2015
“
The negative is just as important as the positive
Ellsworth Kelly on Abstraction
2019, 4min
Kelly employs monochromatic schemes and simple shapes that harmonize with their surroundings, reflecting a deep understanding of the spatial and contextual relationship between art and its environment.
Kelly's art is a masterful exploration of color and form, stripping away the superfluous to focus on the essence of visual experience.
Kelly transforms environments through the interplay of light, color, and form, creating dynamic visual experiences that engage the viewer in a dialogue with the physical space.
7/7
Hans J. Wagner
Pioneer of Danish minimalist style and wood furniture - simply one of Scandinavia's most admired designers.
Danish, 1914–2007
“
A chair is to have no backside. It should be beautiful from all sides and angles.
Wegner, also known as the ‘Master of the Chair’, designed more than 500 chairs during his career – many of which are considered masterpieces.
Functional Beauty
His designs were deeply rooted in the belief that beauty arises from utility, embodying a seamless blend of form and function.
Craft Over Mass Production
Wegner prioritized traditional craftsmanship techniques, ensuring each piece of furniture was not only aesthetically pleasing but also exceptionally well-made.
Ergonomic Focus
Wegner's furniture is celebrated for its comfort and ergonomics, designed to support the human body naturally and elegantly.
Minimal Index
An exploration of aesthetic purity and functional clarity.
1 font weight, 1 page, 2 shades of grey, 7 minimalists, 127 images, 90 000px of infinite scroll.