Barcelona Through the Eyes of Designer Lilly Reich

Christian Petzold

Published September 14, 2023
Beautiful Villa Tugendhat by Lilly Reich

Have you been daydreaming lately about the eclectic energy of Barcelona? Maybe you’ve even found yourself asking, “What would it be like to see Barcelona through the eyes of a designer?

Together we shall explore the enchanting city of Barcelona through none other than Lilly Reich’s unique lens. I know what you’re thinking – why Lilly Reich? Believe me, when I say this – no one understood the intricacies and vibrancy of design quite like her.

This article is crafted especially for lovers of design and seekers of depth beneath aesthetics.

Who Is Lily Reich

lilly reich

Lily Reich is one of those unsung heroes in the design world who deserves as much recognition as her male counterparts.

A trailblazer in her own right, she was an influential German designer and architect during the early 20th century. Born into a humble background in Berlin, she had an innate talent for creating designs that blended functionality with style.

Reich’s innovation came when women were largely overlooked in professional sectors, yet she left an indelible mark on modernist architecture and furniture design.

Here are some of her achievements:

  • Bauhaus movement: Despite never being formally associated with it, many consider Lily’s work instrumental in shaping this iconic art school.
  • Tubular steel furniture: She pioneered the use of tubular steel for indoor furnishings – quite fashionable back then (and super-comfy too)!
  • Mies van der Rohe partnership: Working alongside fellow architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, they created masterpieces like Barcelona Chair that still scream ‘class’ today!

Amusingly enough, despite all these accomplishments under her belt and even having chaired the Deutscher Werkbund (a major German design organization), Lily wasn’t someone who sought limelight or fame. Nope!

Instead, she focused on pushing boundaries within design spheres and inspiring future generations to come – proof that true greatness doesn’t always require a spotlight!

Reich and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

Villa Tugendhat

Where do we start with the dynamic duo of Reich and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe? Both were visionaries in their own right, but together they formed an unbeatable tandem in architecture. 

Mies van der Rohe’ design philosophy centered around simplicity. He firmly believed less is more – or as he put it, “Weniger ist mehr.

His work reflected his principle; from skyscrapers like Seagram Building to villas such as Villa Tugendhat.

  • Seagram Building: Known for its bronze exterior, which gives off an elegant glow during sunset.
  • Villa Tugendhat: A gem nestled among greenery featuring open spaces seamlessly blending with nature.

Then comes Lily Reich. She may have been overshadowed by her partner at times (no pun intended), but let me tell you, she shone brightly on her own! She brought flair to functionality. Her designs were never ‘just’ functional; there was always an element of style sprinkled over them.

The Velvet & Silk Café at the 1927 Berlin exhibition is a prime example. (It’s said that even Starbucks took inspiration from here… okay, maybe not)

Their cooperation created some true masterpieces where form met function without compromise! If we could take away anything from studying Reich and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, it would be – When passion meets partnership, great things happen!(even in architecture).

Lily Reich and the Barcelona Chair

Barcelona Chair Lily Reich

Lily Reich, a name that might not ring as many bells in the design world as it should. But believe me, without her, we wouldn’t have the iconic Barcelona Chair.

The chair is so sleek and elegant; you’d swear a ballet dancer designed it turned furniture designer. Lily collaborated with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe on this masterpiece – he got most of the spotlight, though (typical man!).

Not to be shadowed permanently, let’s bring into focus what makes Lily’s contribution so significant.

  • The Barcelona Chair: This marvel screams comfort and class at an Olympic-level shout! It’s like sitting in a cloud made of leather stitched together by angels.
  • Design Aesthetics: The clean lines and clever use of materials like stainless steel and leather give you that “I’m rich but still down-to-earth” vibe.
  • Craftsmanship: Oh boy! If chairs could talk, each would boast about its superior craftsmanship – how every stitch is perfect or how sturdy yet light they are despite their chunky appearance.

So next time you sink into your swanky Barcelona Chair sipping on expensive wine (or cheap–we don’t judge), remember to raise your glass for our lady Lily.

Sure, she didn’t get all the fame she deserved during her lifetime, but hey–better late than never, right? Here’s to unsung heroes who make our lives more comfortable…and stylish!

The Works of Lilly Reich in Barcelona

german pavilion

Lilly Reich, a trailblazer in her own right, left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape of Barcelona. Lilly collaborated with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe to design the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona.

Their creation was spectacular – think elegant minimalism meets timeless modernity. The pavilion gave birth to the iconic ‘Barcelona Chair’, now more ubiquitous than tapas bars around town!

  • Pavilion: It featured open spaces and fluid room divisions that would make even Picasso rethink his abstract cubist ideas.
  • Barcelona Chair: An epitome of simplistic elegance with its steel frame and leather upholstery; it could pass off as a modern-day throne if you squint hard enough!

Besides this grandeur collaboration, did you know Lilly also had her hands busy redesigning shops? That’s right! She brought about transformative changes – introducing simple geometric forms and clean lines into shopfronts along Passeig de Gracia.

Lilly Reich may not have been born under the Spanish sun, but she made it shine brighter through her innovative works in Barcelona. 

Her bold vision and understated aesthetics proved that less could be more – something many contemporary designers are still trying to wrap their heads around!

TLDR

Lilly Reich was a German modernist designer significantly associated with the Barcelona Chair design. She collaborated with Mies van der Rohe, pioneering furniture and exhibition designs, impacting Barcelona’s architecture and design landscape indelibly.

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