When we think of modern design, many of the ideas we consider obvious today originated from Bauhaus. Clean forms, functional furniture, honest materials and designs without unnecessary decoration all have their roots in this influential German school. 

Although Bauhaus existed for only fourteen years, it grew into one of the most influential design schools in history. The ideas that developed there not only changed the world of design and architecture but continue to influence the way we design, live and produce today. 

But what exactly was Bauhaus? Why was this school founded, and why is its influence still visible more than a century later? 

Bauhaus was a German school of art, architecture and design founded in 1919 by architect Walter Gropius. The school introduced a revolutionary vision of design and became one of the most influential educational institutions in the history of design. 

Bauhaus was more than just a school where students learned how to draw or design furniture. It was a place where artists, architects, designers and craftsmen worked together and experimented with new ideas. The goal was to connect art, craftsmanship and technology, creating designs that suited modern society. 

Within Bauhaus, the focus was not on decorating an object. Many pieces of furniture from earlier periods featured elegant shapes, ornaments and decorative details. Instead, Bauhaus focused on function. A design first needed to be practical and then develop into a simple, clear form. This way of thinking reflected the modernist belief that good design comes from function, material and construction, rather than decoration. 

Students therefore learned not only how to design, but also how to work with different materials and techniques. In the school’s workshops, they experimented with wood, metal, textiles, ceramics, glass and graphic design. By making and testing objects themselves, students discovered how materials behaved and how designs could be improved. 

An important principle of Bauhaus was that good design should be accessible to everyone. Instead of creating unique objects for a small group of people, designers wanted to develop products suitable for industrial production. This made it possible to create high-quality and functional designs on a larger scale and make them available to a wider audience. 

Although the school existed for only fourteen years, Bauhaus ideas spread throughout the world. Its design philosophy continues to influence architecture, furniture, graphic design, product design and art education today. 

Bauhaus was founded during a period of major change in Europe. The First World War had just ended, industrialisation was transforming the way products were made, and new technologies offered designers new possibilities. At the same time, many art and craft schools were still based on traditional methods and historical styles. According to architect Walter Gropius, it was time for a new approach to design that better matched the modern world. 

Gropius therefore founded Bauhaus in 1919 in the German city of Weimar. He believed that designers should not only create beautiful objects, but also develop solutions that responded to everyday life. Design needed to be functional, make use of new technologies and ultimately become accessible to a larger audience. 

An important goal of Bauhaus was to bring together art, craftsmanship and industry. At the time, artists and craftsmen were often trained separately, while Gropius believed that collaboration between different disciplines could lead to better designs.By combining creativity with knowledge of materials, techniques and production, a new way of designing could emerge. 

The rise of industry also played an important role in the creation of Bauhaus. Factories were increasingly able to produce products faster and on a larger scale, but many products lacked thoughtful design according to the designers at Bauhaus. The school saw this as an opportunity: by combining good design with industrial production, functional and high-quality products could become available to more people. 

Bauhaus therefore wanted to educate a new generation of designers who did not look back at the past, but looked towards the future. The school became a place where students experimented with materials, techniques and forms, creating the foundation for a new vision of design, architecture and production. 

Although Bauhaus existed for only fourteen years, the school developed in a short period of time into one of the most important innovators in design and architecture. Due to changes in location, leadership and political circumstances, the direction of the school also evolved over the years. 

The strength of Bauhaus was not only found in the designs created at the school, but especially in the way designers approached design itself. Bauhaus represented a new design philosophy in which function, simplicity and honest use of materials were central. An important principle was “form follows function”: the shape of an object should come from its purpose. According to this idea, a design does not begin with decoration or appearance, but with the question of what something is meant to do. A chair should be comfortable to sit on, a lamp should function effectively, and a building should provide a pleasant living environment. The form then develops naturally from this function. 

Through this approach, Bauhaus designers moved away from the excessive decoration that was common in earlier styles. They searched for the essence of a design and believed that simplicity could be powerful. This idea is often connected to the phrase “less is more”, which became especially well known through architect and former Bauhaus director Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. 

Within Bauhaus, simplicity did not mean that designs had to be boring. By carefully considering proportions, materials and colours, simple forms could create a strong visual impact. Materials were also allowed to remain visible in their natural state. A metal structure did not need to be hidden, and the way an object was made could become part of the design itself. 

Ultimately, the Bauhaus philosophy focused on creating designs that were logical, functional and suited to modern society. By connecting form, function and material, Bauhaus introduced a new way of designing that continues to influence design and architecture today. 

The influence of Bauhaus went far beyond the objects created at the school. Its ideas about function, simplicity and production changed the way designers thought about the world around us. Bauhaus created a new perspective on living, furniture and architecture that remains visible today. 

A New Way of Living 

Before Bauhaus, a home was often seen as a collection of separate rooms with a strong focus on tradition and decoration. Bauhaus designers began looking at living spaces differently. A home should not only be beautiful, but above all function well for the people who live there. This created a new vision of living, with more openness, natural light and practical layouts. Homes were designed around everyday life, where spaces and objects had a clear purpose. Interiors became less focused on unnecessary decoration and placed more emphasis on calmness, space and usability. 

Furniture for the Modern Era 

The world of furniture also changed significantly because of Bauhaus. Designers experimented with new materials and production methods, creating a completely different appearance. Materials such as steel, glass and bent tubing made new forms possible. Furniture became lighter, simpler and better suited for large-scale production. A chair no longer needed to be heavy and traditional, but could instead consist of an intelligent construction that combined comfort and functionality. This led to a new generation of furniture that was not only seen as a practical object, but also as an example of thoughtful design. 

A New Perspective on Buildings 

Within architecture, Bauhaus created a major shift in the way buildings were designed. Architects moved away from historical styles and focused instead on the possibilities offered by modern materials and technologies. Buildings received simple forms, large windows and a strong emphasis on functionality. The construction itself could remain visible, and the shape of a building had to come from how it was used. This created a new architectural style that gained worldwide influence. 

The ideas of Bauhaus therefore changed not only how objects looked, but also how designers thought about the relationship between people, their surroundings and the products they use every day. The school laid the foundation for much of the modern design and architecture that we still recognise today. 

Although Bauhaus was closed in 1933, the ideas of the school continue to live on. The influence of Bauhaus is not only found in specific pieces of furniture or buildings, but especially in the way we look at design today. Before Bauhaus, design was often strongly connected to decoration, craftsmanship and luxury. The school introduced a new perspective in which function, use and production became just as important as the appearance of a design. This created the idea that good design should not only be beautiful, but should also provide a solution and improve everyday life. This way of thinking still forms the foundation of much contemporary design. From furniture, lamps and interiors to technology and digital products, designers continue to focus on the relationship between form, function and the user. The question “Why does something look the way it does?” is a thought strongly connected to the Bauhaus philosophy.

The preference for simplicity, clear forms and honest use of materials can also still be seen in contemporary designs. Many modern interiors, products and brands build upon principles that were developed within Bauhaus. The influence is also clearly visible in buildings and interiors. Functional buildings with open layouts, plenty of natural light and clear organisation directly reflect Bauhaus ideas. 

Perhaps the greatest influence of Bauhaus is therefore not one specific design, but a new way of thinking.The school transformed design from simply creating beautiful objects into the conscious creation of products, spaces and experiences that fit the way people live.