Why did Ludwig Mies van der Rohe not attend formal architecture school?

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe did not attend formal architecture school because he gained his foundational experience through practical, hands-on training rather than academic study.12

As the son of a master mason who owned a stonecutter’s shop, Mies spent his early years assisting his father on various construction sites. At age 15, he began an apprenticeship with local architects in Aachen, where he developed his exceptional skill for linear drawing by sketching architectural ornaments for stucco building decorations.12

Rather than pursuing a traditional degree, he continued his education through professional apprenticeships, including working for a furniture designer and later for the influential architect Peter Behrens. This path allowed him to learn directly from the industry’s leading figures and engage with the Deutscher Werkbund, ultimately shaping his approach to the International Style of architecture.13