Bauhaus – ‘house of construction’
“Let us strive for, conceive and create the new building of the future that will unite every discipline, architecture and sculpture and painting, and which will one day rise heavenwards from the million hands of craftsmen as a clear symbol of a new belief to come.”- Walter Gropius
Tucked away alongside the Landwehrkanal in Tiergarten, South West Berlin, lies the Bauhaus Archive Museum of Design, an archive that studies and presents the history and influence of the Bauhaus – the most influential modernist art school dedicated to architecture, design and art of the 20th century founded in Germany in 1919.
From an early age I’ve always loved Bauhaus furniture, even though I didn’t know the term for it until I got to university. My initial passion stemming from first laying eyes upon Marcel Breuer’s Wassily armchairs in the headmaster’s office at school, and then, would you believe; watching the TV series Frasier. Frasier Crane’s apartment is decked out in Bauhaus-inspired furniture including the iconic Eames lounge chair and Ottoman, which explains why he’s distraught when his father moves into his apartment and insists on keeping his bulky armchair.
So when I found out there was an archive dedicated to the Bauhaus movement in Berlin, I jumped at the chance to go!
The Wassily chair
The museum’s exterior is very difficult to miss. Designed in 1964 by the founder of the Bauhaus, Walter Gropius and built by his long-time associate Alec Cvijanovic, the building stands proud against Berlin’s typically grey, flat landscape. Stark-white in colour with beautifully elongated concrete bridges and ramps that interconnect from building to building whilst it’s shed-like roof, reminiscent of the smoke stacks found on ocean liners is a feast for the eyes.
The museum itself is relatively small and intimate, and can be viewed within an hour or two – this appealed to me as I had so much to see and do the same day. However, don’t let the size put you off, as it’s filled with beautiful examples of Bauhaus products and experimentations; from chairs, Ottomans and tables, to cooking utensils, kitchen and office units right through to paintings (and an original Johannes Itten’s colour wheel), photography and rare documents and publications.
After spending an hour or so in the museum, I headed to the gift shop which I can safely say is one of the greatest gift shops I’ve ever been to in my life! Positively packed full to the brim of Bauhaus products ranging from pens right through to potato peeler’s, THE BAUHAUS CHESS SET!, chairs and jewellery. ‘Luckily’ I was short on cash, otherwise I’d have spent every last cent! P.S. the coffee shop ain’t bad either…
I’ve read a few other reviews online that use phrases like ‘design connoisseurs only’ which to some people who have no interest in design is understandable, but Bauhaus is really less about just looking at the individual designs created in the Bauhaus period and more about the prodigious influence it had on modern day design and architecture. From the tubular stacking chairs at school and in the office we so often take for granted to Apple design or the plethora of cheap affordable and functional furniture they sell at Ikea, it’s the influence it has had on the ergonomics and aesthetics of modern day design that’s truly inspiring.
So whether you love the Bauhaus Movement, or simply want to pick up a few design tips for your own home, this small yet perfectly formed museum is well worth a trip.
General Information
Address: Klingelhöferstraße 14, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Website: www.bauhaus.de
If you would like to know more about where you can find art and design in Berlin check out: An Art Lover’s Guide to Berlin.
2 Responses
ACKKK! I didn’t even realise this museum was in Berlin and I was only there last week! Definitely have to hit it up next time I’m there. I love Bauhaus…my wage doesn’t though! ££££ Great post!
Haha well look upon this as a reason to return! Oh I can emphasise with you there, I wish I could afford a few pieces 🙁