Bauhaus Architecture and Influence

The Bauhaus building is located in Dessau, Germany and was designed by the architect Walter Gropius. This building was created to become the site of the new art school that originated in Weimar. Gropius was one of the pioneers of the style of architecture known originally as the Bauhaus style and later as the international style for its commonalities to architecture and influences internationally. The building aimed to reject history and focus more on the function of the building, art, craft, and technology, rather than ornamentation and precedent.

The Bauhaus was designed for use as an art school and its form is very depictive of it. The flat roof and planar sides are made of mass produced concrete. The full side of grid windows is also depictive of the technology and mass-production of steel and plate glass. However, the wall of windows also offers the natural light necessary for the artists to work. This wall and the red door serve as the only minor ornamentation with more of a functional basis of providing light and indicating the entrance. The basic geometric form strips away the unnecessary and useless ornamentation to focus more on the work itself as a product of technology. This style later becomes known as the international style for its relevance around the world and the influence on modern architecture.

Similarly, the Bauhaus school aimed to focus on art, craft, and technology across artistic realm. Bauhaus, or “House for building” was a state-funded art school originating in Weimar, Germany and co-founded by Walter Gropius in 1919. The school was intended to help work on rebuilding the post-war society of Germany through the arts. It was aimed at creating a totally new approach to architecture and teaching that incorporated aspects of art, design, craftsmanship, and modern technological production and machines all under the same roof with little reference to the past. Bauhaus tried to create works of art involving all arenas of the art world. According to Wikipedia, “The Bauhaus had a profound influence upon subsequent developments in art, architecture, graphic design, interior design, industrial design, and typography”. By rejecting history, Bauhaus aimed to take a whole new stance on the world of art.

Over time this school and its works became fundamental to the works and movement of modern design. Bauhaus became well known for its innovative art and design instruction style involving cross-curriculum studies and collaboration outside of the school. Eventually, the school was moved to Dessau in 1925 and redesigned by Walter Gropius. After Gropius left, the school was lead for a period by Hannes Meyer and then Ludwig van der Rohe until its eventual close in 1933. Throughout the time that Bauhaus operated it influenced many areas of design from architecture to teaching to household items.

Quote and image borrowed from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhaus

Information on Bauhaus from:

Art History 188B, Architecture Course