This paper attempts to interpret the meaning of Mies van der Rohe's famous aphorism that “less is more” in terms of space. From his assertion that the art of building is the spatial execution of spiritual decisions, one can presume that his art of building was revealed through his spatial execution consciously guided by creative principles. One of his spatial principles was less is more a representative motto for the creation of sparsely furnished space with few objects and little perceptible architecture. After his awareness of an open plan, Mies intended to create less architecture by designing a minimal form of structural frames and maximum openness of open plans and glazed walls. This study posits that Mies created more potential space, for which he intended his open plans and neutral frames to be viewed as less. His building was designed to serve as the background of works of art and the changing nature outside so restrained its own existential voice in favor of the achievement of total harmony.

• 김란수(미국 Georgia Institute of Technology 건축 박사) | Kim, Ran-Soo (Ph.D. of Georgia Institute of Technology)