Mies van der Rohe, Seagram Building

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Seagram Building, 375 Park Avenue, New York City (1958) Speakers: Dr. Matthew Postal, Dr. Steven Zucker. Note: In the video we call Le Corbusier a French architect, but he was born in Swizerland and became a French citizen in 1930. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

[@rr7firefly]

The narrators seem breathlessly excited in their description of the Seagram Building.

[@edwardrichardson8254]

My fav building in my 16 years in NYC. He set it back because it was his jewel, it would be lost with the rest of them at the street’s edge, so he made his own gallery space. 1,500 tons of bronze, you kidding me??!! The Seagram heiress gave him an unlimited budget. What a creative cocktail - money no object, an heiress studying architecture at Harvard, a walk to MoMA, they’re going to run with the last Director of the Bauhaus - it’s all very Ayn Rand. His buildings cooler than sunglasses in The Matrix but this one with the bronze brings you back to ancient evenings.

[@Dashriprock4]

Excellent. A new perspective for me. I've always found the International Style to be antiseptic, but your video has made me look at this building in a new light. Thanks for posting.

[@roysmith3316]

I used to work in this building for Seagram's Overseas Sales Company (SOSCO). So many memories of a great company to work for and a shame about what happened to it.

[@40vandeventerplacestlouism62]

Very nice presentation, in such class and true knowledge!! Very entertaining, thank you . Louis Sullivan.

[@Sasha0927]

After yesterday's awesomesauce, I've decided to go for more architecture.
I knew I'd seen this building before - the updated version - but it was worth viewing again.
I found the enthusiasm endearing. Dr. Zucker sounded so curious and excited, lol.
I also appreciated the discussion on classical techniques being applied to modern architectural projects. I'm glad Mies said yes to a novel approach. It was very worthwhile.
PS: I'm looking into relocation opportunities for NY. I need more of the accents, wit, and authentic Jewish delis, lol. Tips for areas to focus on or avoid are appreciated. 🙃

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Let us know how the relocation possibility develops!

[@Sasha0927]

@@smarthistory-art-history Absolutely! You guys two (out of 4-ish) people I hope to meet once I get up there. 🙃

[@harold-sweat-head8111]

Great video. Thank you.

[@finnersmcspeed5646]

I think they should allow it to turn green.

[@VileJackie]

I like the international style.

[@sinjaandtheninja7031]

thank you, im witting my term paper about Mies van der Rohe, helped me a lot:)

[@someperson111]

Same here lol

[@dougn2350]

I like the dark moody colors.

[@laurencesmelser3083]

Not so fast. I live in Baltimore's Highfield House, designed by Mies van der Rohe in the early 60s as an apartment building, now a condo. When it was a rental, the lack of income from the open area under the building forced conversion into a condominium. His window design looks great, but the daily noise from the expansion and contraction of window metal frames, lasting over several hours each day is disruptive.
Van der Rohe seems not to have understood drainage. The vast plaza under the building looks like a Venetian lagoon during heavy rains due to minuscule drains. The building is currently replacing the entire concrete plaza and its membrane protecting rooms and the garage below. Thankfully this was begun before the catastrophic collapse of the condo building in Florida.

[@1cultural]

THEY FORGOT TO MENTION PHILLIP JOHNSON< WHO CO-DESIGNED THE SEAGRAM BUILDING. JOHNSON DESIGNED THE INTERIOR OF THE FOUR SEASONS RESTURANT, WHICH RECENTLY CLOSED ITS DOORS. PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF IT. PHILLIP JOHNSON WAS LEFT OUT OF THE TALK

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Philip Johnson did work on the building but was not responsible to the overall design which is the subject of the video. Better to give Johnson attention with the buildings that were actually his. We hope to produce a video about a Johnson building soon.

[@1cultural]

I UNDERSTAND. HOWEVER, JOHNSONS DID DESIGN THE FOUR SEASONS RESTAURANT.

[@sartoresartus]

Relax. Johnson was a lively sort of epigone, and he was paid good money for this job.

[@janelavie4115]

This and Saarinen’s CBS building are real landmarks of 1950-60’s.

[@leebrowwski]

I drive by Westmount square in montreal and think of Mies. Immortal.

[@pryvexx]

Make sure you guys wear masks and social distance.