Bauhaus history, style, and famous designers

In the wake of World War I, the Russian revolution, and the German revolution, a new type of art school emerged: the Bauhaus ("build house") school of art and design.

Both Dada and Bauhaus were influenced by the avant-garde movements of the time: Futurism, Constructivism, Cubism, Expressionism, and Gestalt psychological theory. With the grand disillusionment of war and the spreading of Marxism ideals, people were looking for new ways of understanding and experiencing the world.

Unlike their contemporary Dada artists, who focused on nonsensical expression and anti-establishment art, the Bauhaus sought holistic design education that would harness increasing industrialization.

Ready to learn more about this influential design movement? Let's dive in.

What's Bauhaus?

The Bauhaus school, founded by architect Walter Gropius in 1919, aimed to bridge the gap between artist and craftsperson. This design movement merged art and technology to create functional yet aesthetically pleasing designs.

It emphasized combining form and function in a harmonious way, aligning with the principles of modernism.

The Bauhaus movement was deeply influenced by the German Wohnreform ("housing reform") movement that sought to address the living conditions in the rapidly industrializing Germany at the turn of the 20th century. Wohnreform was concerned with the aesthetics as well as social and functional aspects of architecture and furniture design.

In its unique approach to teaching, the Bauhaus took many of these principles and expanded on them to unify art, craft, and technology. The movement's manifesto saw the potential for design to be a part of social change, improving the quality of life for all people by creating beautiful and functional objects.

The influential school also functioned as a working studio, with teachers' and students' clean-lined designs achieving commercial success.

This ethos resonated with the core values of Wohnreform but extended further into the realm of industrial design. The idea was that mass production could be harnessed to create well-designed, affordable products accessible to the masses, not just bespoke items for the affluent.

With its revolutionary approach to architecture and industrial design, Bauhaus greatly influenced the development of modernist design and the so-called International Style.

"The ultimate goal of all art is the building!" – Walter Gropius, Bauhaus Manifesto, 1919

Initially based in Weimar, Germany, the Bauhaus school later moved to Dessau and then to Berlin. It was closed in 1933 due to pressure from the Nazi regime. While the school's physical existence was relatively short-lived, its impact on the art and design world remains profound.

Led by visionary architects, designers, and artists, the Bauhaus school trained multidisciplinary designers in order to create a new material reality. Some notable masters (lecturers) and proponents of Bauhaus include:

• Lyonel Feininger, the first master of the Bauhaus school's printmaking workshop.
• Johannes Itten, the first master of the Vorkurs foundational course at Bauhaus.
• Gertrud Grunow, who was the first female master at Bauhaus Weimar, taught the Theory of Harmonisation course.
• Paul Klee was a renowned Expressionist painter and color theorist who taught at Bauhaus.
• Lucia Moholy, a photographer who was married to Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, documented Bauhaus architecture, products, and campus life which contributed to the movement's corporate identity.
• Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, who took over Itten's role at the school when he left and co-taught the Vorkurs with Josef Albers, headed up the metalwork workshop. He later became the Director of The New Bauhaus: American School of Design in Chicago, USA.
• Josef Albers, a Bauhaus master who later taught at the Black Mountain College, USA, was the first living artist to have a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
• Anni Albers, a weaving student under Gunta Stölzl who later took over her position as master. She's credited with groundbreaking work in textile design. Anni was married to Josef Albers.
• Gunta Stölzl headed up the textile department at Bauhaus Dessau and her work displays the distinctive Bauhaus style.

• Wassily Kandinsky, the basic design and theory master at Bauhaus, formed Die Blaue Vier (The Blue Four) artists' group with Paul Klee, Lyonel Feininger, and Alexej von Jawlensky.
• Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was an architect and the last director of Bauhaus before its closure in 1933.
• Oskar Schlemmer taught at the Bauhaus' workshop on sculpture before becoming a master of form in theater at the school.
• Herbert Bayer, a student and later master, created the Universal alphabet, which became the signature font of Bauhaus.
• Marianne Brandt was the first female student to attend the metalwork course at Bauhaus and succeeded Moholy-Nagy as master.
• Marcel Breuer, one of the first students at Bauhaus and later head of the carpentry workshop, went on to become an iconic Brutalist architect and modern furniture designer.

At its core, Bauhaus was a school of thought that embraced the principles of simplicity, functionality, and modern development.

Definition of Bauhaus

The central goal of Bauhaus was to bridge the gap between fine arts and industrial design. By embracing modern technology and industrial methods, Bauhaus sought to transform everyday objects into visually striking yet functional pieces.

Simplicity, clean lines, and minimalistic forms characterized the abstract designs of Bauhaus. Bold geometric shapes and daring color combinations were used to evoke emotion and create visual interest.

Through this innovative approach, Bauhaus broke away from traditional craftsmanship and profoundly impacted the development of modern design. By emphasizing mass production, functionality, and abstract aesthetics, it laid the foundation for the design principles that continue to influence art, architecture, and industrial design today.

Background of Bauhaus

The revolutionary art school aimed to integrate the fine arts with industry. Nothing quite like it had existed before 1919. Gropius envisioned a holistic approach to design, what he called "total design."

One of the biggest influences on the Bauhaus is the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century. This art style emphasized the importance of handcraftsmanship. Gropius wanted to build upon this idea by incorporating modern industrial techniques and materials into the creative process.

Under Gropius' direction, the Bauhaus developed a design ethos focused on experience and experimentation. Its curriculum encompassed various disciplines, including architecture, furniture design, textile design, stagecraft, and graphic design.

But this influential movement faced significant challenges. With the rise of the Nazis in Germany, Bauhaus artists and teachers were targeted for their progressive ideas and forced to flee. Many of them found refuge in other countries, where they continued to spread Bauhaus principles and influence the field of design.

The enduring legacy of the Bauhaus can be seen in various design fields today. Its emphasis on clean lines, geometric forms, and functionality continues to inspire modern architecture, furniture, and graphic design. The Bauhaus style became synonymous with modernist design and has profoundly impacted the aesthetics and principles of creative work worldwide.

Let's look more intently into the scope of Bauhaus' influence in various industries.

How Bauhaus has influenced design

Walter Gropius and the interweaving of disciplines

Gropius, the founder of the original Bauhaus school, played a pivotal role in interweaving disciplines in design. He was appointed the master of the Grand-Ducal Saxon School of Arts and Crafts in Weimar in 1919. It was this school that was merged with the Weimar Art Academy and transformed into the Bauhaus under his directorship.

He sought to break down traditional barriers between the various types of artistry and foster a collaborative environment where artists, designers, architects, and craftspeople could work together.

This advanced the idea of functional architecture, which greatly influenced the design of the Bauhaus buildings. The Bauhaus school buildings featured streamlined forms, large windows for ample natural light, and an emphasis on functionality over ornamentation.

Gropius incorporated several key principles into his Bauhaus designs:

1. Using modern materials and technology, such as steel, concrete, and glass, to create buildings that reflected the spirit of the age.
2. "Form follows function," a phrase coined by skyscraper architect Louis H. Sullivan in 1896, prioritizing the functionality of a space over its aesthetics.
3. Open, flexible floor plans that could adapt to the changing needs of the inhabitants.

He emigrated to the United States in 1937 and was appointed professor of architecture at Harvard University. His former Bauhaus student and colleague Breuer joined him at Harvard, and this is perhaps the most influential time of their careers.

Overall, Walter Gropius's visionary leadership and commitment to cross-departmental training and mastery of craft paved the way for modernist architecture and design. His emphasis on functional architecture and incorporation of key principles have become iconic examples of modern design.

Hannes Meyer and Bauhaus Dessau

Taking over from Gropius as director of the architecture department at Bauhaus Dessau in 1928, Hannes Meyer brought a new approach to the school in terms of architectural design and socio-political ideologies.

He believed architecture should be rooted in the needs of the working class and the collective rather than individual expression. He implemented his political ideas into student organizations and teaching programs, focusing on practical solutions for affordable housing and social utility.

He designed and oversaw the construction of the ADGB Trade Union School, an iconic building that showcased the functionalist approach of the Bauhaus. The school featured simple geometric forms, open-plan spaces, and an emphasis on natural light and sustainability.

Despite his contributions, Meyer's time at the Bauhaus was short-lived, as his political views clashed with those of the Nazi regime. In 1930, he was forced to resign as director, and his successors continued to guide the Bauhaus in a new direction. But Meyer's influence on the movement, particularly concerning social and political engagement, left a lasting impact on the legacy of the Bauhaus.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's architectural modernism

Renowned modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe studied alongside and influenced the later work of Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, who became famous as the Brutalist architect Le Corbusier.

Appointed as the director of the Bauhaus school in 1930, he tried to keep it afloat in the face of the imminent second World War. After the closure of the Bauhaus by the Nazis in 1933, Mies van der Rohe found a new home for his innovative ideas in the United States. Same as Gropius and Breuer, he emigrated to the US in 1937.

Mies van der Rohe was appointed the head of the architecture department at the Armour Institute of Technology (later the Illinois Institute of Technology), where he continued propagating the Bauhaus philosophy through his teaching and architectural practice.

Besides his famous building designs, Mies van der Rohe designed some of the most recognizable modern furniture pieces. One of these designs is the Barcelona Chair, seen below. These cantilevered steel chairs with rectangular leather cushions became an icon of modern luxury living.

He played a vital role in shaping modern American architecture. He brought his expertise in modern architecture and design, emphasizing the principles of simplicity, functionality, and honesty of materials. His work influenced other designers and architects who profoundly impacted the field, such as Frank Lloyd Wright.

Josef and Anni Albers at Black Mountain College

After the closure of Bauhaus and their relocation to USA in 1933, Josef and Anni Albers became highly influential figures at the Black Mountain College in North Carolina. The college was an experimental school that embodied many of the educational philosophies of the Bauhaus, especially its interdisciplinary approach to art and design education.

They both also continued their artistic careers, becoming celebrated artists with their work exhibited around the country. Anni was the first textile designer exhibited at MoMA. She was also commissioned by Gropius to produce textiles for Harvard University and designed mass-producible textiles for the Knoll furniture company, publishing her design writings throughout her career.

Oskar Schlemmer's contribution to art schooling and theater

Oskar Schlemmer made significant contributions to art schooling and theater, playing a crucial role in the development of the Bauhaus movement. As a teacher at the Bauhaus School, Schlemmer's work revolutionized the way were approached.

Schlemmer's innovative exploration of the human body is particularly noteworthy. He believed the body was a vessel for artistic expression and sought to highlight its potential through his teachings. His approach to art schooling focused on the integration of various disciplines, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and experimentation.

One of Schlemmer's most renowned works is his theater piece, Triadisches Ballett (Triadic Ballet) (1912). This groundbreaking production combined elements of dance, movement, and costume design to create a visually captivating experience.

The choreography and costumes were meticulously crafted to transform the human body into abstract geometric forms, challenging traditional notions of performance and aesthetics.

Henry Van de Velde's role in design

Henry Van de Velde played a significant role in the development of graphic design during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a Belgian architect, designer, and artist, he made invaluable contributions to the field and greatly influenced the rise of modern graphic design. He's seen as one of the founders of Art Nouveau and its German counterpart, Jugendstil.

He designed the building and established the Grand-Ducal School of Arts and Crafts in 1907, which later became the Bauhaus under Gropius' directorship. That same year, he co-founded the Deutscher Werkbund (or German Werkbund) association of artists, architects, designers, and manufacturers. Mies van der Rohe served as the association's architectural director.

From packaging to wallpaper, Van de Velde's work in graphic design was characterized by his innovative use of typography and his integration of form and function. He believed that graphic design shouldn't be limited to mere decoration but should also serve a purpose in conveying information effectively.

He also designed furniture and interiors, truly encompassing the Bauhaus vision of integrated design disciplines and manufacturing.

Images sources: Wikimedia Commons and Apollo Magazine

The International Style of Modern architecture

The International Style of Modern architecture emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the rapid industrialization and technological advancements of the time. It's characterized by simplicity, clean lines, and functional design.

The Bauhaus movement played a significant role in shaping the International Style. Notable architects associated with the International Style include Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Gropius himself. Their designs were characterized by simplicity, open spaces, and the use of modern materials. Iconic examples of International Style buildings include the Barcelona Pavilion by Mies van der Rohe, Villa Savoye by Le Corbusier, and the Fagus Factory by Gropius.

The International Style of modern architecture, influenced by the forward-thinking ideas of the Bauhaus movement, continues to influence contemporary architecture with its timeless and minimalist approach to design.

Industrial design

Industrial design played a significant role within the Bauhaus movement, contributing to its overall impact on design and architecture. The Bauhaus embraced the principles of functionalism, mass production, and the integration of form and function, extending these principles to everyday objects through industrial design.

At the Bauhaus, industrial design aimed to create affordable, aesthetically pleasing, innovative products that could enhance people's daily lives. This approach reflected the Bauhaus's commitment to improving living conditions through design.

The Bauhaus attracted talented industrial designers who contributed greatly to its legacy. Marianne Brandt and Wilhelm Wagenfeld were key figures associated with the Bauhaus. Brandt, known for her work in metalwork and lighting design, created iconic pieces such as the Kandem table lamp.

Wagenfeld, on the other hand, is remembered for his glass designs, most notably the Bauhaus Table Lamp. These designers, among others, helped shape the vision of the Bauhaus and its industrial design approach.

New techniques in graphic design

The principles and practice of Bauhaus have greatly influenced the development of new techniques in graphic design. Bauhaus valued the integration of art, craft, and technology, which later became foundational principles in modern graphic design.

One prominent Bauhaus figure who pioneered new graphic design techniques is Herbert Bayer. Bayer's innovative use of typography and experimental layouts revolutionized graphic design in the 20th century. His work, such as the geometric sans-serif Universal typeface, exemplified the Bauhaus ethos of simplicity, functionality, and clarity.

Joost Schmidt, another prominent figure of the Bauhaus movement, had a significant influence on modern graphic design that can still be seen today. Schmidt was primarily known for his work in typography and exhibition design. He was a master craftsman in the Bauhaus's printmaking and advertising workshop and eventually became a teacher there.

One of Schmidt's most enduring contributions to graphic design was his approach to typography and layout, which emphasized clarity, simplicity, and the integration of text and image in a harmonious composition. This approach broke away from the ornate and heavily decorated styles that were prevalent before the Bauhaus.

Perhaps his most famous work is the poster he designed for the 1923 Bauhaus Exhibition in Weimar, which has become an iconic example of Bauhaus graphic design. This poster showcased many key elements of the Bauhaus design philosophy, including geometric shapes, a balanced yet dynamic arrangement of elements, and a focus on typography.

Bauhaus today and beyond

Reflecting on the enduring legacy of the Bauhaus movement, it's clear that its principles continue to resonate powerfully in the realms of graphic design, architecture, and beyond.

The minimalist designs, clean geometric forms, and harmonious color palettes that were once revolutionary are now familiar, almost ubiquitous features in both digital and print media.

Bauhaus' interdisciplinary approach, which merged art, craftsmanship, and technology, anticipated the integrated, cross-functional nature of contemporary design and creative work. This holistic approach not only fostered innovation during the Bauhaus era but also set the stage for the collaborative, cross-disciplinary ethos prevalent in today's creative industries.

The Bauhaus, with its revolutionary spirit and forward-thinking, isn't just a historical phenomenon but a living, evolving influence. Its principles and styles continue to guide designers toward a synthesis of beauty, functionality, and inclusivity.

As we look to the future of design, the principles of the Bauhaus remain relevant and inspiring. In the digital age, where design is increasingly driven by user experience and sustainability, the Bauhaus' focus on functional, accessible, and efficient design offers valuable lessons.

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