B A R C E L O N A
C O U C H
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M I E S
V A N
D E R
The Barcelona Couch was designed by modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for the Exhibition in Barcelona; the collection’s pure composition came to epitomize Modern architecture during that time. Like the Pavilion itself, the couch is at once simple and sophisticated. The design of the couch follows that of the Pavilion, elevated by polished chrome plated steel cylinders, the leather plinth seems to hover independent of the ground plane. Upon rigourous analyzation, two distinct assemblage systems become apparent; the field, and frame. The first of these systems imposes a rigid rectilinear compression of the supple calfskin shell. The latter, reacts against the verticality of the field through a series of straps restraining lateral force. Formatively, the two forces result in a singular purist representation constrained by opposing systems.
R O H E
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The following analysis looks to illuminate upon this juxtaposition of materiality and formative system. The resultant is the delamination, and reappropriation of what we know as the Barcelona couch through a knew language of force and form.
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2"
2 1/2"
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1 1/2"
1 3/4" .M .L .K .J .I .H .G .F .E .D .C .B .A
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CL
CL
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A.1 THREADED ASSEMBLY DETAIL 1”=1”
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PLAN: 1”=1’
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SERIAL SECTION: 1”=1’
C O M P R E S S I O N
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A.1
T E N S I O N
RESULTANT
ELEVATION: 3/4”=1’ .10
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STEEL MOUNTING FLANGE (4X)
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CHROME PLATED STEEL LEG (4X)
EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC .01
BOLSTER PILLOW BUTTON (4X)
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BOLSTER PILLOW (1X)
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SURFACE BUTTONS (56X)
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PUNCTURE
3
STITCH
COMPRESSION SYSTEM
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FELT PIPE MATRIX (50”)
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MATTRESS SKIN (50 SQFT)
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BEND
TENSION SYSTEM
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RUBBER TENSION STRAP (11X)
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LAP JOINTED FRAME MEMBER (4X)
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DOWEL PIN (4X)
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HALF ROUND TRIM (19’)
SYSTEM CATALOGUE
WRAP
SEAL
TIGHTEN
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DISTINCT CORNER RELATIONSHIPS
DESIGN KEY
PUNCTURE
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DISTINCT CORNER RELATIONSHIPS
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SEAL
STITCH
WRAP ARTICULATION STUDY