How to Recognize Bauhaus Design

If you are interested in design, you may have heard the terms Machine Age and Bauhaus used almost interchangeably. It’s true that they share several characteristics, but Bauhaus not only describes a certain look but also represents the movement that created the look. Bauhaus began in Germany in the late 1920’s and was a strong response not only to new ideas about architecture and furniture, but also to philosophical and political changes that were occurring around the world. Here are some characteristics to look as you explore Bauhaus.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for simplicity. Bauhaus design values simplicity of line and shape. Look for straight lines or smooth, gentle curves. There is repetition and multiple layers in the overall design–a row of identical cylinders or two or three corners offset from each other to produce a simple but powerful effect.

2. Look for the qualities of lightness and airiness in Bauhaus items. Bauhaus design celebrated new fabrications that were lighter and less bulky than traditional building materials. Aluminum, steel, plastics, and glass are noticeable in Bauhaus design. Stackable chairs and tables became another recognizable feature of Bauhaus design.

3. Decide whether the materials themselves are important to the design. The new materials were not just part of the Bauhaus design, often they were the focus of the piece. Simple designs and smooth surfaces of plastics, class, chrome and other metals were intended to highlight the materials themselves.

4. You’ll need to be a knowledgeable buyer to know whether a piece was costly or inexpensive when it was new. A desired element of Bauhaus design was that the chair or lamp had to be inexpensive. This was not furniture for the wealthy elite; it was aimed at people who wanted simple, beautiful home furnishings that were also affordable.

5. Will the piece you are examining be easy to clean? The concept of hygienic furnishings was popular during this time, especially in Europe. Furnishings that could be cleaned with a splash of water or a quick dusting were highly valued.

6. Look for function as a key element in the design. Bauhaus designs shared with other contemporary design movements the belief that the function of an item should dictate the form of the piece. Hinges, support mechanisms and functional hardware were highlighted, not hidden, in Bauhaus design.

7. Understand the differences between the functionalism of Craftsman and Bauhaus design. What was different about the functionalism of Bauhaus design was that the mechanical aspects of a Bauhaus piece were not handcrafted pieces, giving a nod to the craftsman laborer, but versions of mechanical functionalism. The pieces has an industrial look, rather than a hand made look. They reflected their times by celebrating the growing power, significance and beauty of the machine.