Barcelona Pavilion (Mies van der Rohe)

An intriguing study in 1920s futurist housing by one of the 20th century's greatest architects. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed this German pavilion for the 1929 World Exhibition — then it was dismantled. The faithful 1986 reconstruction is a masterclass in less-is-more: onyx walls, chrome pillars, a reflecting pool, and Georg Kolbe's sculpture. A pilgrimage site for architecture lovers.