Berlin the capital of Germany is associated with social and historical roots and many historical events in Europe. Where architecture is concerned, it is impossible not to mention the legendary Bauhaus movement which dictated the contemporary design and architecture styles of the twentieth century. This is a guide to introducing you to modern architectural style – the Bauhaus – in Berlin as well as the primary places of interest.
The Bauhaus Movement: A Brief Overview
These were founded in 1919 by an architect Walter Gropius in Weimar Germany and were mainly associated with art and architecture. Its intention was to try to make Art and craft meet and lean towards the practical and simple things. The principles of Bauhaus included well masterd craftsmanship, geometric shapes, and the desire to make objects for everybody.
Promenade autour du patrimoine bauhausien de Berlin
Berlin is a city that has many and some of the most outstanding buildings designed with the style of Bauhaus. Here are some must-visit destinations for anyone interested in discovering this architectural style:
1. The Bauhaus Archive
The Bauhaus Archive is a museum in Berlin’s Tiergarten district which deals with the preservation of the artistic movement of the Bauhaus. It has the best of drawings, photographs, furniture and other artifacts. The opportunity to improve the general knowledge of the movement and its role is provided by a visit to the museum.
2. The Mies van der Rohe Haus
The Mies van der Rohe Haus was constructed for use as a house that was to be occupied by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and his family. It is not anyway easier to miss this house which epitomises what Bauhaus sought to achieve in its spartan aesthetic and streamline design.
3. The Hufeisensiedlung
The Hufeisensiedlung or the Horseshoe Estate is a housing complex built by Bruno Taut who was an architect of the Bauhaus. The building is the best example of the Bauhaus style for housing the workers’ movement buildings. There are vibrant paint jobs on buildings, lush plantings, and even proper city planning in the estate.
4. The Housing Estate at Siemensstadt
The other splendid building in Berlin on Bauhaus style is the Siemensstadt Housing Estate. Built by architects Hans Scharoun and Otto Bartning, this estate is built with elements of functionalism and new form of housing.
It comes as no surprise that Berlin is the key city when it comes to learning about the Bauhaus movement, where you can find the headquarters of the Bauhaus Archive – Museum of Bauhaus Design .
When visiting Berlin’s Bauhaus sites, keep the following tips in mind:
In order to get the most of the metropolis of Berlin, it is advised to plan your day or weeks before trip.
It might also be wise to take a guided tour to be able to understand more of the history of each place.
Take a camera in order to remember the specific features of the architecture and the design.
Remember to write down the operating hours and the access to each area.
Make efforts to get familiar with the local culture and attempt to realize to which extent the Bauhaus affected it.
In Conclusion
Visiting the postwar Bauhaus architecture in Berlin is an introduction to the history of the modernist.
architecture movement. Both the Bauhaus Archive as well as many buildings located in Berlin present to the visitor the opportunity to see the enduring heritage of the Bauhaus movement. When opting for this architectural style, such an approach will make a client appreciate how creative ideas are being implemented to date.
Leave a Reply