Bauhaus Style

The cool aesthetic of the Bauhaus style influence early as today a large number of architects, designers and artists. Bauhaus stands for rational and functional designs. Walter Gropius, the founder of the Bauhaus style, has originated controversy with his ideas in the 1920s revolutionizing modern architecture.

The history of the Bauhaus style goes back to the industrialization of Germany. It was recognized that well-designed industrial goods could be an important economic factor. Back then, one founded the "Deutscher Werkbund" with the aim of merging art, industry and crafts. Large companies such as Bahlsen or AEG had their products from then on designed by the artists of the Werkbund. However, the young Walter Gropius had radical visions. He founded the art school "Staatliches Bauhaus in Weimar" during the war turmoil of the First World War. In 1919, Gropius proclaimed the goal of his school in a manifesto: "The ultimate aim of all creative activity is a building!" His vision was to lead architecture, sculpture and painting back to crafts in order to shape the structure of the future together. There should be no difference between an artist and an artisan.

The students of the Weimar Bauhaus first learned the nature of materials in a preliminary course. They were also familiarized with colours and shapes. At that time, the painters Johannes Itten, Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee were teachers of this preliminary course. The next step of the study encompassed practically oriented work in the fields of metal, weaving, ceramics, furniture, typography and mural painting. Here beside master artisans Gropius also applied artists in the workshops. In 1927, an additional architecture class was established.

The result of the Bauhaus doctrine cannot be overlooked. The principles of "People's necessities, not luxuries" and "form follows function" left numerous simple, functional products that are today still unique in its designs. For example, the Bauhaus wallpaper, the cantilever chair or the Wagenfeld lamp are an indispensable part of many households.

Bringing together all the arts to the construction of future building has always been at the heart of the teachings of the Bauhaus. Therefore, the lessons have been used to build many social housing estates in the Weimar Republic in the style of functionality. One already built industrial bricks in Frankfurt on the Main in the 1920s.

During World War II then the Nazis were against the radical ideas and reactions of the Bauhaus artist. Many went to France, Britain or the USA. In 1937, for example, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy founded the "New Bauhaus" in Chicago, out of which the "School of Design" emerged. The school teaches the holistic approach of the Bauhaus style, however, it rather refers to photography. Therefore, over decades structures and designs were developed in the Bauhaus style that today state the epitome of modern architecture.