Bauhaus by Walter Gropius - Essay Example

Client’s The Bauhaus by Walter Gropius The Bauhaus by Walter Gropius is a piece of architecture that reflects the aesthetics of the Modernists as they placed themselves amidst the evolution of an industrialized world. The building is located in The Free State of Thuringia, Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt (World Heritage List). The building is considered a work worthy of study for its perfection of form and as a testament to its position in the historic architectural development of the Modernists.

In examining the culture in which it was developed, it is clear that the emergence of industry had a high level of influence and the building reflected this new position for human experience. In an examination of the Bauhaus, the reflection of industrial aesthetics was a commentary on the emergence of human manufacturing development. Through an examination of the internal concepts related to the Bauhaus designed by Walter Gropius, it is clear that the use of linear structure developed a sense of order for the architectural development of the building.

The construction is based upon rectangular modules that come together to create a narrative of movement from one section to the next. The Bauhaus was constructed using modern materials and reflects an industrial aesthetic (The Bauhaus). The materials included steel, reinforced concrete, and glass, supporting modern concepts in contrast to traditional materials of stone and brick (The World Heritage List). Looking out from the building means seeing lines that obstruct the windows and frame them into multiple small panels.

The building uses long floors through which the experience of being on the interior reflects a restricted, ordered feeling, based upon the way in which the exterior seems to promote long rectangular shapes. Movement inside the building would provide a reflection of the exterior through interior spaces that are interpreted as a reflection of the continuation of that aesthetic (The Bauhaus). From the external descriptive perspective, Gropius’ work reflects the avant-garde elements of architecture that arose through the period of the Modernists.

The World Heritage List reports that “It made a major contribution to breaking ‘the power of tradition’, not only in the field of architecture, but also in the design of articles of everyday use and in advertising, creating a new language of form”. The period in which it was built was processing the world through an understanding of industrialization and human beings as they fit into an industrialized world. The intention of the work was to reflect a fusion of craft and industry, supporting the concept that “there is no distinction between monumental and decorative art” (Gropius).

The new aesthetics that were being taught at the time that this building was constructed were based upon the idea that the old world ideas about craft could be implemented into new world ideals that used modern materials and high quality craft, but reflected the aesthetics of the manufactured. In interpreting this building, at first glance it seems to be too constructed to have a high end aesthetic, but this is likely because it begins to reflect what is seen in old warehouse districts in modern cities.

Upon further inspection, however, the building begins to reveal intentionality. As the lines and shapes are seen in totality, it is clear that the reflection of industrial concepts is a commentary on modern life and that the architect conceptualized the work to speak about the emergence of the industrialized world. The design by Gropius of the Bauhaus is a work of Modern art which supports emerging ideas of human existence within the industrialized world. Works CitedGropius, W. Bauhaus Manifesto and Program. 1919. Web.

24 October 2012. The Bauhaus. 2012. Web Image. 24 October 2012.World Heritage List. The Bauhaus. 11 October 1994. Web. 24 October 2012.