Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe

Question 1

Seagram Building:

date, architect, location

Answer 1

1956-58
Ludwig Van der Rohe
New York City, Park Avenue at 53th street

Question 2

Seagram Building:

Commissioned by?

Answer 2

Canadian Liquor company called Seagram wanted a building in NY for their headquarters

Question 3

Seagram Building:

Commissioners were impressed / inspired by which building

Answer 3

Lever house which was across the street and was the first curtain wall building in Manhattan

Question 4

Seagram Building:

Curtain wall materials and effect

Answer 4

Glass with bronze vertical mullions between the window bays from bottom to top without interruption: a vertical ascent soaring up

Question 5

Seagram Building:

Purpose of bronze I beams

Answer 5

• Serve no purpose other than decorative: decorative symbolism - the purely decorative bronze I beams on the exterior reflect the interior steel I beams that are structurally supporting the building
• Give the surface texture and depth as well as adding shadow to the façade

Question 6

Seagram Building:

Implications /effect of the empty plot of land in front of it

Answer 6

• ‘Corridor’ for his buildings to be viewed from
• Bold choice as it was a very expensive plot of land: shows the importance of the building: overall look trumps making the most of the money they have

Question 7

Seagram Building:

Description of space in front of the building

Answer 7

• Building set back 27m from the street being a deep plaza
• Mostly empty except a flag and a pool at each front corner
• Lacked seating: didn’t want people to assemble here, but rather wanted it to be left bare

Question 8

Seagram Building:

Why was it one of the most expensive buildings of its time

Answer 8

• Materials both exterior and interior v expensive

- Plot of land left bare was an expensive plot