The Barcelona chair was exclusively designed for the German Pavilion, Germany's exhibition for the Barcelona World Fair of 1929. The design resulted from collaboration between the famous Bauhaus architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and his longtime partner and companion, architect and designer Lilly Reich, whose contributions have only recently been acknowledged. An icon of modernism, the Barcelona chair's design was inspired by the campaign and folding chairs of ancient times.contributions have only recently been acknowledged. An icon of modernism, the Barcelona chair's design was inspired by the campaign and folding chairs of ancient times.