Architectural Education Should Address Mies van der Rohe's Problematic Legacy Alongside His Modernist Achievements
By
Leen Katrib
A five-star bake. Worth schmearing, sharing, saving.
Summary
This article argues that architecture students should learn about the problematic legacy of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe alongside his celebrated modernist achievements. Written by Leen Katrib, the piece critiques how architectural education often presents Mies as an unquestioned master without addressing the negative aspects of his work and legacy. The author advocates for a more critical approach to teaching architectural history that acknowledges both the contributions and controversies surrounding influential figures like Mies van der Rohe.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledArchitecture students are often taught about Mies van der Rohe as a master of modernism but they should also learn about the problematic legacy of some of his most significant work
I first heard of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe as an undergraduate in the early 2010s. Mies was one of the most influential modern architects; I saw him as a disciplinary anchor
I'm teaching students not to follow Mies van der Rohe's example
Students should learn about both the celebrated achievements and the problematic aspects of influential architects
You might also wanna read
A 10-Minute Guided Viewing of Lois Dodd's 'The Painted Room'
A guided, immersive 10-minute art viewing experience of Lois Dodd's painting "The Painted Room." The article walks readers through observing
nytimes.com·8h ago
Porter County Museum opens exhibit celebrating 175 years of the Porter County Fair
The Porter County Museum has launched a new ongoing exhibit titled "Our Heart of Hearts: The Porter County Fair," celebrating the 175th anni
chicagotribune.com·3d ago
Byrne's Euclid: A Digital Reproduction of the 1847 Colored Geometry Classic
A digital reproduction and enhancement of Oliver Byrne's 1847 edition of Euclid's Elements, which famously used colored diagrams and symbols
c82.net·8d ago
The Limits of Boolean Thinking: How Binary Questions Constrain Our Worldview
This essay critiques "boolean thinking" — the forced binary (yes/no) pattern of thought imposed by yes/no questions. The author argues that
The Haunting Photograph of Tereska: A War-Traumatized Child's Drawing of "Home"
The article recounts the story of Tereska, a war-traumatized child in post-WWII Warsaw, who was photographed by David "Chim" Seymour in 1948
gailweiner.com·10d ago
SetPose: A Free Online 3D Pose Reference Tool for Artists
SetPose is a free online 3D pose maker tool designed for artists who need adjustable drawing references. The article introduces the platform
setpose.com·12d ago