Name, Date, Location, and Designer of the Building: Bauhaus - Research Paper Example

BAUHAUS BAUHAUS location, and designer of the building The of the building is Staatliche Bauhaus. However; Bauhaus is the name that most people use is Bauhaus. The name Bauhaus is a word in German that means the house of construction. Being that it was primarily meant to be a school; people fathomed the meaning of the building to mean school building. Bauhaus was set up in the year 1913, and it operated up to 19331. Walter Gropius started Bauhaus in 1913 in Weimar, Germany. Bauhaus begun as an art school. The school was in three towns of Germany that is Weimar between 1919 up to 1925, Dessau from 1925 up to 1932 and lastly in Berlin between the years 1930 up to 19332. Thesis statement Bauhaus was a significant school of art started in the modern time. The school had a significant influence in Europe and the United States and even beyond. The designer wanted to rejuvenate the lost glory in the field of art. Furthermore, Walter wanted to show the relationship between society and technology that was advancing at a higher rate. It is the art and craft movement that that shaped the idea of Walter because he wanted to draw a divide between fine arts and applied arts so as to help in bridging the gap between innovation and manufacturing. Further to the above, the key driver towards the creation of Bauhaus was Walter’s fear that the work of art would die and lose its meaning in the society. In addition, in the construction of the Bauhaus, most of the old ways of creation of art was abandoned but it encouraged the curiosity in the pursuit of knowledge. That was the only way that they could maintain the glory of the work of art in the society. The excellent work of Bauhaus targeted the upcoming artist I the 20th century. Bauhaus placed a lot of emphasis on the on the work of experimentation. For that case, therefore, testing and solving of the problem-solving bridging the gap between the fine art and the visual and being considered as a standard entity. Furthermore, the philosophical teaching of the teachers at Bauhaus-influenced the younger generation and even shaped their ideas. Discussion of the building in details Droste, Magdalena, and Angelika Taschen. Bauhaus: 1919 - 1933. Köln: Taschen, 2002. Print. The book addresses the major reasons as to why the building existed and the events that followed the inception of the idea. According to the book, Bauhaus started in the Weimar town by a German architect called Walter Gropius3. The fundamental idea behind the initiation of the building was to restructure the physical world so as to focus on the on the harmony of the work of art. The authors say that Gropius advanced the curriculum that emphasized on the art and craft so as to help improve the standards of the artisans and the designers. However, the curriculum enabled them create new objects that are up to the standard of the way of living. Moreover, Bauhaus was beneficial in terms of education because it brought people from all walks of the world to come and acquire the knowledge4. As highlighted in the book, the school embraced the watchword that art is an industry. It was agreed upon because most of the people who were interested in the world of art went through the curriculum. However, by the time they were living, they were already equipped with the knowledge that they applied in the modern world. Again the art is considered as an industry because it led to the production of several of various things. The book records that much later in the year 1923, and Gropius relocated Bauhaus from the city of Weimar to the town of Dessau. Here Gropius designed a new building that he used to house a school. In the building, he incorporated many features that are thus making the building mark a real example of modernism in architecture. The modern things that the building included are like the glass curtain wall, steel frame, and others. The book further highlights the activities that went on in Bauhaus such as cabinetmaking workshop. Marcel Breuer is the one who directed the cabinet making workshop. He did an experiment that inspired the artist. Apart from cabinet making workshop, there was also a textile workshop that was under the direction of Gunter, a weaver at the same time a designer. The textile that was used for an experiment in Bauhaus was Günter’s creation. Bauhaus had a great influence on the education of design Engels, Hans, and Ulf Meyer. Bauhaus: 1919 - 1933. München [u.a.: Prestel, 2006. Print The book recognizes the good reputation of Bauhaus since its conception. The approaches to matching that were used at Bauhaus are still relevant up-to-date. Moreover such strategies like that of Johannes Itien, Josef Albers were adopted by the international institution so as contribute to the development of the field of art. In addition, the structure of the Bauhaus is relevant to the designers up to now. Most of the people decide on the design like that of Bauhaus. The book further records that not everybody took the idea of Walter positively. There was pressure from the National Socialist that led to the dissolution of the school in Berlin in 19335. However, the idea that was already initiated never died because of the role that the teachers played in spreading the ideas of Bauhaus in the whole of Germany and even across the borders like in United States of America6. The teachers who were teaching at Bauhaus went to teach in other schools for example Walter Gropius went to teach at Harvard University where he continued to spread the gospel of the work of art. Furthermore, other teachers also continued spreading about the building across other nation in the world. At the same time other teachers and those who loved the idea of Bauhaus remain in Germany, they spread the news silently. Around the year 1937, Mohaly- Nagy established the “new Bauhaus” in Chicago. Even after the dissolution of the school in Germany, it continued to attract the attention of very many people and even the nations because of the reputation that it had created7. The scopes of work and the events that occurred are today documented in books, journal, magazines and other documentary records. The step helps in the spread of the idea to other parts of the world. The book also records that there is the creation of the museum where there is information on the time Bauhaus was initiated through its demise. Most of the dignitaries have put an effort so as to relive the plights of Bauhaus. The designer wanted to rejuvenate the lost glory in the field of art. Furthermore, Walter wanted to show the relationship between society and technology that was advancing at a higher rate. Bergdoll, Barry, and Leah Dickerman. Bauhaus 1919-1933: Workshops for Modernity. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 2009. Print. Some of the key thoughts that the book addresses is the effect that Bauhaus had on the various nations and individuals. Bauhaus had a significant impact on the architectural design in Western Europe, the United States, Canada, Egypt and other countries8. After the dissolution of the school during the Nazi regime, the artists and the initiator fled from Germany to other countries. Moreover, those who were embracing the ideas of Bauhaus and remained in Germany had a lot of fear9. They could not spread the idea of Walter in public. In addition, in United Nations, there are several buildings set in the design of Bauhaus. It made Tel Aviv to be listed as one of the world heritage sites. Another landmark contribution is on the design that they used to make the furniture. Apart from the fur nature, the other profitable area that was the product of Bauhaus was the wall paper. However, after the world war two, there was a building that survived at Dessau that was later turned into a design a school. German Democratic Republic equipped the school with architectural facilities. The school housed a stage production that was called Bauhaus Stage. Later on after German unification, several buildings in the name of Bauhaus cropped up, and even colleges were now started like Bauhaus- Dessau college in 1979. The college opened its roots all over the world, and it offered the post-graduate program to the students. The effort to opening up the schools was under the influence of Bauhaus- Dessau Foundation that was already a public intuition by the year 197410. Door handles and moldings of the structure on the interior Although the interior design of Bauhaus strongly unified from above, each and every element of the structure is clearly divided from the next. From the ground to the top, Bauhaus structure represents a wonderful succession of changing perspectives. The Bauhaus is characterized by an asphalt tiled roof, steel framework, coupled with reinforced concrete bricks to reduce noise and to protect it from weathering. The wall of Bauhaus was made of a glass curtain. This is a feature that can only be found on the modernist architecture. The glass curtain wall allows for an ample quantities of light. The interior structure of Bauhaus was also characterized by three wings that were arranged asymmetrically to connect different workshops and dormitories within the school. This was a representation of the school’s functionalists approach but at the same time maintaining the elegance of the building. Interior of the north wing of Bauhaus The upstairs that led to the hall stretched to the north wing and on the east side was covering linen closet. The building extended up to the bedroom that was in the furthest corner of the room. However, there is another door that leads to another small room that is also having another door leading to back veranda. The official dining hall is in the middle of the hallway to the north. The way to the dining room leads to the parlor. On the right side of the sunroom, there is a through way that drives to the store. The walls of the rooms have precast areas. The cornice molding is also in the ceiling board of the dining room just like in the parlor room. There are the main staircases and the subordinate staircases, and the central staircase leads to the second floor where the hallway leads to the main block. On the north, wing has a rectangular window and at the mid of the wall are two windows. However on the second floor here is one- over one window that is put just above the portal of the first floor. Engels, Hans, and Ulf Meyer. 2006. Bauhaus: 1919 - 1933. München [u.a.]: Prestel. The book emphasizes on the reforms that took place in the management of Bauhaus. It notes that Bauhaus left the post as the director of Bauhaus in the year 1928, and Hannes Meyer filled the position he same year. Meyer further brought reforms in the institution by eliminating and revising the curriculum of Bauhaus. He removed those aspects in the curriculum that he felt were a nuisance to the progress of the school. Moreover, Meyer stressed on the communal consumption of the architectural designs rather than the individual use. In his reforms, he ensured that the real product from the institution reached the public at all cost. For that matter, therefore, he made the school accessible to most of the people in the society. In Meyer’s leadership, there were a lot of advertisement and photography that increased the prominence of the institution. However, Meyer got a lot of pressure from the municipal government that made him resign. Architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe replaced him. Mies also came about with his reforms that further put emphasis on the field of architecture11. Mies worked in collaboration with his friend, Lily Reich whom he gave power to control other departments like those of fine art, photography, weaving, and others. However, as the years progressed by, the political situation in Germany deteriorated and that prompted Mies to move Bauhaus school to Berlin in 1930. The financial constraints were also a factor that accelerated the relocation of the school to Berlin12. It was the repercussion of the First World War that destabilizes the political situation in Germany. The country wanted to get back to its original position before the war. Moreover, the rise to power of Adolf Hitler also brought the destabilization of politics in Germany. Most of the teachers who were teaching in Bauhaus migrated to United States of America because USA never got involved in the world war until very late. Lack of teachers crippled the work of Bauhaus. On the other hand, Bauhaus had a great influence on the young generation because the philosophical teachings of the Bauhaus teachers influenced them on their carriers. The historical context of the building Bergdoll, Barry, and Leah Dickerman. Bauhaus 1919-1933: Workshops for Modernity. New York: Museum of Modern Art, 2009. Print Bauhaus began its operation in Weimar by the year 1919. However, Nazi regime downtrodden its operation, therefore, the founders decided to open up its service in other towns like Dessau. As much as the building offered architectural work, it was until 1928 when they started the department of architecture. The Designer of Bauhaus, Walter Gropius was the third born of Walter Adolph Gropius and Pauline Augoste. He was born around the year 1883 and died in 1969 in Berlin. In the year 1915 he married Alma Mahler. He couples later divorced in the year 1920. In October 1923, Walter married Ise whom he stayed with until he died in 196913. In the year1914, Walter got into forces where he served in various capacities like Sergeant and later as a lieutenant. In the war he survived in the world war one. As a result, he was given an award of the Iron Cross. Later on with the ambition he adopted from his father, he became an architect, training that he took at Munich in Berlin. He started working in the firm of Behrens before leaving in 1910 alongside with his friend, Adolf Meyer. In the postwar, Walter became the master of Grand- Ducal Saxon School of Art and Craft in 191914. It was this school that Walter changed into Bauhaus. In 1934, Gropius fled to Britain together with his family due to the rise of Hitler in power. He lectured in Harvard School of Design where he held the post of chairmanship in the Department of Architecture in the year 1938 until his retirement in 1952. In 1967, he became a member of National Academy of Design and subsequently an academician in the year 1968. He died in the year 1969. The geographical location of Bauhaus was crucial because it was a way of communication to the public so that they could embrace the ideas initiated in Bauhaus. The area of the building was so visible to the extent that it was not easy to ignore. After the banning of Bauhaus in Weimar, its next location was in Dessau. In around the year 1925, its operation started on a serious note15. The building in Dessau housed the workshop, the college, cafeteria and the studio Sletcher, Michael. New England. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press, 2004. Print The book emphasized the on condition of Bauhaus after its dissolution in Germany. In January 1930, the prevailing political situation in Germany changed so drastically, and even the condition that the architects were working was not enough. However, those who were working toward modernism thought that the new regime would change the situation and that they could work better16. That was not the case when Nazi regime came to power. Hitler caused stability in the political situation in Germany that made it difficult to for the modernist to work effectively. For that reason therefore, most of the architects in Germany together with their counterparts in Jewish resolve to migrate to other countries so as to continue with their ideas. Such architects were Bruno Taut, Erich Mendelsohn. Gropius remained vigilant in his quest to see the transformation in the field of fine art and visual art. When he moved to Britain, he continued with the idea of Bauhaus. For instance, the house that he built reflected the design that of Bauhaus. . In addition, in the construction of the Bauhaus, most of the ancient ways of creation of art were rejected, but it encouraged the curiosity in the pursuit of knowledge among the younger generation17. In conclusion, art is part and parcel of human life; therefore aspiring nation is supposed to encourage its citizens through all means to have an interest in art. Again a government that works towards modernity can never compromise the value of design in its country. To add on top, Bauhaus has played a greater part in the ensuring that the value of design goes hand in hand with the advancement in technology. Furthermore, the designer of Bauhaus, Walter, advocates that it should be a communal affair and the involvement of the government in a positive way is so imperative. Walter involved very many stakeholders in the progress of the art through designing g so many structures. Bibliography Baudrillard, Jean. 1981. For a critique of the political economy of the sign. St. Louis, MO.: Telos Press. http://www.aspresolver.com/aspresolver.asp?SOTH;S10019412. Bergdoll, Barry, and Leah Dickerman. 2009. Bauhaus 1919-1933: workshops for modernity. New York: Museum of Modern Art. Droste, Magdalena, and Angelika Taschen. 2002. Bauhaus: 1919 - 1933. Köln: Taschen: Print. Engels, Hans, and Ulf Meyer. 2006. Bauhaus: 1919 - 1933. München [u.a.]: Prestel. Fiedler, Jeannine, Peter Feierabend, and Ute Ackermann. 2013. Bauhaus Forgács, Éva. 1995. The Bauhaus idea and Bauhaus politics. London: Central European University Press. Hochman, Elaine S. 1997. Bauhaus: crucible of modernism. New York: Fromm International. Kennedy, Andrew. 2006. Bauhaus. London: Flame Tree Publ Maciuika, John V. 2005. Before the Bauhaus: architecture, politics, and the German state, 1890-1920. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press. Shirley, Ian. 1994. Dark entries: Bauhaus and beyond. Wembley: SAF Pub Sletcher, Michael. 2004. New England. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press: Print Read More