Natural stone tiles have always been an inspiration point for many famous architects and designers. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was one of these names. He is undoubtedly one of the most renowned architects to ever live. He left behind a variety of iconic landmark buildings. These art pieces continue to inspire architects and interior designers the world over, with their timeless design.
Who was Ludwig Mies van der Rohe?
Alvar Aalto, Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright were other big names. Van der Rohe was sought after for his parred back style and use of natural stone, metal, and glass in tandem.
Iconic projects
Some of Mies van der Rohe’s most iconic projects include the Seagram Building at 375 Park Avenue, New York, and the S. R. Crown Hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) College of Architecture in Chicago.
Yet it is Farnsworth House in Illinois, which was constructed as a weekend retreat, and the Barcelona Pavilion, which was the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exposition in Barcelona, that is most talked about, and that here at Marble Systems we look to for continuous inspiration.
Get the look with Natural Stone Tiles
The Barcelona Pavilion rests on a slab of travertine and, inside, features large-format marble as wall coverings. Similarly, Farnsworth House uses travertine in abundance, including for its ‘floating’ entranceway.
Mies Van der Rohe used large-format travertine and marble tiles in his architectural designs. In these structures, we can get an idea of how timeless and stunning natural stone can be. Natural stone tiles’ natural beauty appears when used with a clear and clean design aesthetic. This goal can be easily achieved for your floor and wall project with our choice of marble and travertine tile here at Marble Systems.
Here are our designer’s top picks for natural stone tiles you can use in your home to create a space that’s inspired by Mies van der Rohe:
Fantasy White Marble
These large-format marble tiles do not feature the same exuberant pattern found in many types of marble – instead, they are a clean white with very subtle grey veins, which will enable you to create a clean, contemporary space just like Mies van der Rohe.
Large-format marble is most striking when used in rooms with plenty of natural light. Therefore we recommend using these marble tiles in open-plan living areas with large windows.
Pair these tiles with metal fixtures and minimal glass or metal furniture to complete the look. Avoid fussy details at all costs, just like Mies van der Rohe. To coin a phrase used by Mies van der Rohe himself, which led his design thinking ”Less is More”.
Haisa Black Polished Marble
Even though Mies van der Rohe kept things neutral on the floor, buildings like the Barcelona Pavilion feature exotic marble on the walls. This application gives the large, open-plan space an otherworldly edge.
You can achieve a similar look to Mies van der Rohe in your home with our Haisa Black Polished Marble, which you can use to create a feature wall in your living room or kitchen.
The wonderful thing about marble is that it doesn’t require a large grout gap. This means you can use these tiles to create a seamless wall panel.
Silver Honed Travertine
Mies van der Rohe used silver travertine throughout Farnsworth House, including for the infamous ‘floating’ entrance platform and steps. With a similar approach, you can achieve a similar look in your home with our silver honed travertine which, like marble, can be laid with a minimal grout gap for a seamless finish.
For those wanting a more dramatic travertine, then look no further than our Silver Rustic Vein Cut polished slab. This slab offers really great scope, when chosen as a slab for large format schemes.
Whatever travertine you choose be sure that we offer a really great choice here at Marble Systems, for all design schemes and budgets. A firm favorite that is here to stay.
Rare Marble Slab
Mies van der Rohe certainly knew how to create those iconic feature walls with breathtaking marble, as achieved at the Barcelona Pavilion. Here at Marble Systems, our Designer’s Choice Slab collection offers a carefully selected choice by our designers of the most beautiful rare and unusual slab marble to create those stunning iconic Mies van der Rohe style feature walls for your project or home. Like our slab the Sensation Polished Granite Slab which is very much in the spirit and style of the Barcelona Pavilion.
Browse our website for the full selection of natural stone tiles such as marble and travertine.