Which characteristics of International Style architecture appear in Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s buildings?

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s work is synonymous with the International Style, a movement characterized by an austere, disciplined approach to design that emphasizes structural honesty and the potential of modern materials.12

Key characteristics of the International Style present in his buildings include:

• Rectilinear Forms: His designs are defined by clean, geometric, and cubic simplicity, avoiding applied ornamentation or decoration.3124
• Steel and Glass Construction: Mies is best known for his use of steel skeletons—often referred to as "skin and bones" construction—sheathed in glass curtain walls.125
• Structural Honesty: He prioritized making the building's structural supports its dominant architectural feature, reflecting his famous principle that "less is more".24
• Open Interior Spaces: His designs often feature uncluttered, flexible interior layouts that adapt to functional needs.12
• Visual Weightlessness: Through the use of cantilever construction and expansive glass, his buildings often achieve a sense of lightness despite their scale.15

Notable examples of these principles in practice include the Lake Shore Drive Apartments and the Seagram Building, both of which exemplify the clean-surfaced, steel-and-glass skyscraper aesthetic.12