Bauhuaus, 1926, Germany Dessau, Modern Architecture, Walter Gropius

A School Ahead of its Time

Design by Walter Gropius the Bauhaus in Germany Dessau is an outstanding example of the modern movement. Been one of the first schools of design it brought together the most magnificent contemporary architects and artists and an innovative center for training. The name of the school translate to "Construction House" in German which couldn’t have been such a perfect choice. The Bauhaus in Dessau, been the most famous of all the three (others been in Weimar and Berlin) is the product of previous movements such as the arts and crafts movement, with much more emphasis on modern materials such as steel, concrete, and glass [2]. Its intent, according to Gropius was to integrate all of the arts, an integral part of the things of life, necessary for everyone in a civilized society [7].

The Bauhaus is rectangular shaped with a flat-roof structure built on concrete . The exterior walls are mostly taken up by windows, giving the structure a sense of floating on mid air [4] . The colors are [although dull and uninspiring] limited and clean using grey, white, black and red which are two colors short of the primary colors of the  De Stijl movement. The building has no ornamentation other than the letters with its name on it. The simplicity of the structure shows Gropius's aim towards achieving an industrial minimalist aesthetic.

The individual functions, such as; workshops, living, school, etc, were placed in different parts of the building, separating them according to function. The workshop buildings contain the teaching spaces, a bridge with rooms for administration spaces, the building departments and Gropius's private office and this led to the technical school on the separate building wing. In the other direction from the workshops is a low rise building containing the auditorium. The stage of the auditorium is connected to the communal canteen(cafeteria) and therefore bringing together performance and life.  This also formed the connection between the studios and student dormitories [4] . The dormitories are directly attached to the main building. The dormitories also in a rectangular shape, with unadorned black framed windows and balconies on the white building as if perfectly arrayed stresses the simplicity in color and of geometric forms. The lack of ornamentation itself throughout the building and its shape and color scheme showcase Gropius's principle of simplicity and directness as well as stressing "function and utility" before decoration [2].

                             

Exploration of the rectangular dormitory facade(above)

Gropius said "…these three dimensional character could best be understood in its entirety from a birds eye view…"

Structure features an asymmetrical pinwheel layout for studios, auditoriums, classrooms, and housing(Above)

When the Bauhaus first opened, an on looker said "All the rooms[…] illuminated, as they were on the opening day formed a light-cube, squared and framed throughout on the outside by the iron structure…" the simplicity of its rectangular form and the way in which it interacted with its smooth , white plastered façade and reinforced concrete and glass materials creating the effect of "floating imponderably as the air" [4].

The façade follows the form, glass curtain walls and spare rectilinear forms [8]. The glass façade on the load bearing framework allows a view at the interior workings of the structure and bring light and air inside. In the workshops, you can see a clear view of the construction elements which amplify its purpose as been the "working" of the structure and so the need choosing to leave it open [1,3].

  transparency, the wall emphasized the '

Facade represents the mechanical and open spatial nature of the new architecture.

Color been used to articulate space

Facade brings in light, as well as allow you to see the different layers of the facades from class rooms and circulation spaces [7].

Cited Works

[1] “Architecture.” Architecture : Bauhaus Buildings in Dessau : Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau / Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, www.bauhaus-dessau.de/en/architecture/bauhaus-buildings-in-dessau.html.

[2] “Bauhaus Architecture: History & Characteristics.” Study.com, Study.com, study.com/academy/lesson/bauhaus-architecture-history-characteristics.html.

[3] “Bauhaus Building by Walter Gropius (1925–26).” Bauhaus Building by Walter Gropius (1925–26) : Bauhaus Building : Stiftung Bauhaus Dessau / Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, www.bauhaus-dessau.de/en/architecture/bauhaus-building.html.

[4] “Bauhaus Building, Dessau : Bauhaus100.” Bauhaus 100 : Bauhaus100, www.bauhaus100.de/en/past/works/architecture/bauhausgebaeude-dessau/index.html.

[5] "Bauhaus Museum Dessau, Germany, 2015 : Young & Ayata." A & U: Architecture & Urbanism, no. 5, May 2017, pp. 166-169. EBSCOhost, arktos.nyit.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.arktos.nyit.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bvh&AN=778981&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

[6] JALAN , LAVNEETA. “Bauhaus and Its Sites in Weimar and Dessau.” GoUNESCO | Go UNESCO, 24 Dec. 2015, www.gounesco.com/bauhaus-sites-weimar-dessau/.

[7] Mindel, Lee F., and Faia. “Bauhaus Dessau Campus – Bauhaus Architecture.” Architectural Digest, 24 Nov. 2015, www.architecturaldigest.com/story/bauhaus-dessau-campus-architecture.

[8] Moore, Rowan. “Bauhaus: a Blueprint for the Future.” The Observer, Guardian News and Media, 13 Apr. 2012, www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/apr/13/bauhaus-dessau-barbican-rowan-moore.

[9] Sveiven, Megan. “AD Classics: Dessau Bauhaus / Walter Gropius.” ArchDaily, 10 Nov. 2010, www.archdaily.com/87728/ad-classics-dessau-bauhaus-walter-gropius.

goog_776826106