The Bauhaus is a radical concept of reimagining the material world to reflect the unity of all the arts. German architect Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus style in 1919 in Weimar. It is widely recognized as one of the world’s most significant architectonic art and design movements far to effect a new way of living; beyond Germany’s borders.
Gropius, together with avant-garde artists from Germany and Europe, espoused the principle that “form follows function,” where ideals of simplicity and practicality were embraced. The characteristic use of bold, geometric shapes and primary colours was encouraged across architecture, art, and design.
A century of excellence
Known as the official “cradle of Bauhaus,” Weimar is the centre of the 20th-century movement of design. On the 100th anniversary in 2019, cities, museums and foundations across Germany celebrated the profound presence of the school. The Bauhaus Association of Germany organized a grand tour of Modernism, released a coffee table book called ‘Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’ by Christiane Lange. Numerous exhibitions, projects, and initiatives across Germany were organized to rewrite the history of the era-defining movement. All the three Bauhaus cities of Weimar and Dessau, Germany, revamped their museums and new openings and Berlin in 2022 and the various shows, performances, and events. From an exhibition dedicated to lamps to 1920s inspired canoe- tours, Bauhaus Centennial Celebrations were planned as an umbrella signature as Bauhaus 100.
The Grand Tour of Modernism highlighted 100 significant modernist and Bauhaus buildings throughout Germany. Tours include visits to the convent with a swimming pool beneath to a steamship inspired home. Sites that highlight the many shapes and sizes of Modernism are highlighted.
Apart from the events under Bauhaus 100, traces of Bauhaus design are evident in its impact on the superficial aspects. Bauhaus students learnt new ways to work with materials. They learned how to incorporate artistic concepts into industrial media, crafts, and manufacturing. They believed in the synthesis of the arts. They regarded the school as an experimental laboratory for the building of the future.
Influence in architecture and design
Bauhaus inspired architecture, and interior design now finds a place even in America, characterized by simplicity and practicality in approach. From fashion to art, furniture, paintings, and landscaping, Bauhaus is celebrated worldwide as an art and design concept. Even the Arial font in typography is Bauhaus inspired.
With its roots as a radical movement away from the ostentatiousness and intricacy of the World War era art and design form, Bauhaus perpetuates clean and straightforward lines leaving its mark on everything from architecture to typography around us.
Bauhaus is here to stay. The Bauhaus philosophy has cemented the world over as an approach rather than a specific style. Let us celebrate it.
Preparing the next generation of architects
Since its inception in 2010, the NAAC-accredited and MAKAUT-affiliated OmDayal Group of Institutions has emerged as one of the leading architecture colleges in West Bengal. Inspired by the achievements of premier Indian architects, the full-time B.Arch course offered by us has been generating top-notch architects since its introduction in 2012. The curriculum is approved by AICTE and COA. It aims to take architecture education beyond the realms of buildings and propel it into developing a sustainable future.
We are the first private architecture college offering M.Arch in Urban Development. Approved by COA, the two-year M.Arch course is entirely at par with global standards with a 20 seat allotment. We teach our students to seek novel and contemporary solutions in line with the modern tenets of architecture.
For more information, visit www.omdayal.com
