In 1983, the Barcelona City Council established the Mies van der Rohe Foundation with the initial aim of reconstructing the German Pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition.

In addition to preserving and promoting knowledge of the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, the Foundation fosters debate, outreach and awareness on contemporary architecture and urban planning. It also promotes the study of the work of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Lilly Reich and the Modern Movement.