Bahaus in Germany

Bauhaus Dessau Gropius Alle 38
Bauhaus Dessau at Gropius Alle 38

The Bauhaus architectural movement started in Weimar Germany. In 1860 an art school was started by the Grand Duke Carl Alexander, the school later went it’s own way and distanced itself from the court. Plein air painting was big and the area was home to some of the great German impressionist painters. In 1920 a decorative arts school  was set up by the Grand duchy and a Belgian, Henry van de Velde was appointed it’s leader. The school closed in 1915 and Van de Velde had to leave Germany just before the outbreak of the first world war in 1917 because he was a foreigner. In 1919 architect Walter Gropius (1883–1969) with the support of the local government of Saxony-Weimar-Eisenach founded “Das Staatliche Bauhaus”. The general idea was to unify all ways of art and design in order to incorporate it into architecture. Gropius left the Bauhaus University in 1926 and moved to Dessau, more or less forced out by the rise of the National Socialist party. There is really only one ‘real’ Bauhaus designed original building in Weimar, most buildings can be found in Dessau, unfortunately some were destroyed in the second world war, later rebuilt according to original spec’s, but still a shame. The buildings are very functional and incorporates new ways to open windows to produce airflow in the buildings to make them comfortable.

Window opening mechanism in a Meisterhaus in Dessau
Window opening mechanism in a Meisterhaus in Dessau

One of the more eye pleasing and location perfect buildings is the Korn Haus, which was built in 1929-30, commissioned by the city of Dessau and is still used as a restaurant. It sits on the bank of the river Elbe and is just the perfect spot to enjoy a meal and a beer or maybe just an ice cream.

Korn Haus restaurant on the Elbe
Korn Haus restaurant on the Elbe
Korn Haus restaurant on the Elbe rotunda
Korn Haus restaurant on the Elbe rotunda

Below are some pictures from the Bauhaus  University in Weimar.

Walter Gropius office at the Bsuhaus University in Weimar
Walter Gropius office at the Bauhaus University in Weimar
Detail of light fixture in Walter Gropius office at the Bauhaus University in Weimar
Detail of light fixture in Walter Gropius office at the Bauhaus University in Weimar

 

Mural in the stairway leading up to the floor where Walter Gropius office was at the Bauhaus University in Weimar. By Oskar Schlemmer (1888-1943) done in 1923.
Mural in the stairway leading up to the floor where Walter Gropius office was at the Bauhaus University in Weimar. By Oskar Schlemmer (1888-1943) done in 1923.

 

Looking down from the top of the stairs at the Bauhaus University building in Weimar that housed Walter Gropius office.
Looking down from the top of the stairs at the Bauhaus University building in Weimar that housed Walter Gropius office.

 

A Nouveau stairs in a different building at the Bauhaus University building in Weimar.
Art Nouveau stairs in a different building at the Bauhaus University in Weimar.