architecture

The new building that Gropius Designed for Bauhaus when it moved to Dessau is one of his finest Buildings. Its dynamic plan is shown well in the modern model. Moving clockwise, the wing bearing the name Bauhaus contained the workshops; the Bridge accross the road housed the central administration; the wing opposite was for a separate technical college, and the taller block with the projecting balconies provided student workshops.

No one side of the building dominates -true to the principles of the New Architecture, there is no facade. The building is best seen from the air, indeed, gropius commissioned arial photography especially for publicity purposes.

Originally set among flower fields, the building was gradually engulfed by the suburbs of Dessau. The construction methods used were a mixture of experimental and traditional. The flat roof leaked, much to the satisfaction of the Bauhaus enemies. One of the National Socialists first act when they gained control of Dessau in 1992 was to brick up the famous curtain wall of the workshop wing, and the building remained in a sorry state for many years. It was, however restored in 1976.

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