Bauhaus: the foundation of modern design
Bauhaus was a design school and movement that started in Germany in 1919, led by the architect Walter Gropius. It brought art, design, and technology together in a completely new way. The school taught that design should be useful, simple, and beautiful, and that good design should be for everyone, not just the wealthy.
Recognisable shapes and lines
Bauhaus style is easy to recognise. Its designs are clean and functional, using simple shapes and straight lines, without unnecessary decoration. Everything was created with a clear purpose, combining art with modern materials and industrial techniques. Furniture, lamps, and buildings from Bauhaus are still admired today for their clarity and elegance.
Although the school closed in 1933 under political pressure, its influence lives on. Bauhaus ideas shaped modern architecture, furniture, graphics, and even digital design. Museums like the Bauhaus Museum Dessau keep the movement alive, showing how its principles still guide designers around the world.
Key names
Anni Albers, Marianne Brandt, Marcel Breuer, Walter Gropius, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Hannes Meyer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
