Theoretical Study Of Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe And Their Modernist Architecture

Walter Gropius and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the two most important masters in the history of modern architecture, have spent their lives’work realizing the modern design, modern architecture, and the development and maturity of modern design education system.In this paper, through comparative analysis of similarities and differences between Gropius’and Mies’architectural works, underlying reasons for the similarities and differences are excavated, and thus a discussion on influence factors of the architectural theory is triggered, such as the influence of war, personality and political stand on their architectural theories, so as to guide the architecture practice.The paper selects and compares Gropius’Fagus Factory in Alfeld and Mies’German Pavilion in Barcelona to show the similarities and differences between the two masters:The similarities include that, both their architecture works possess typical characteristics of modern architecture, use steel and glass innovatively and prefer circulation space for space application, what’s more, both of them integrate architecture, engraving (sculpture) and painting into one, and express "time spirit" and "public spirit" through architecture. However, there are also some differences in their particular emphasis in function and form, choice of materials, composition technique, design market, and their complex of contradiction and insistence on design, which are finally reflected in the difference between Gropius’"comprehensive architectural concept" and Mies’architectural theory "less is more"; and the difference between Gropius’idealistic education thought and Mies’realistic education thought. Then the paper explains causes of their differences by analyzing the influence of several aspects (e.g. birth background, education experience, personality, political stand and military career) on their architectural theories. Finally, the impact of their architectural theories on modern architecture, and the enlightenment that they bring to us are discussed in the paper.Through comparative study on modernism architecture design theory between Gropius and Mies, the paper aims to further arouse people to attach importance to the actual essence in modernism architecture design theory, rather than blindly imitate the surface style and shape of modern architecture, which ignores the true "time spirit" of modern architecture. Hope our thought can be clearer and more reasonable in the future learning on history and theory of architecture design. Meanwhile, we wish this paper could let architects in the new era pay more attention to their own artistic and cultural accomplishments.