Back then

„Every age demands its own form. It is our task to design the new world with existing tools.”

Hannes Meyer, „Die neue Welt”, 1926

It is our task to design the new world with existing tools. The appeal from Hannes Meyer, the second director of the Bauhaus, combines aesthetic with function and economy. It is jus as much an invitation to think and holistically and to rethink no as it was then.

The first Bauhaus wallpaper collection, developed in cooperation with Tapetenfabrik Gebrüder Rasch, was launched almost 90 years ago, and following initial criticism, became a great commercial success. Over 6 million roles were sold within a few years. Wallpaper went from being a decorative wall covering to a sought-after material in construction.

Bauhaus wallpaper is the only original industrial Bauhaus product available today worldwide. A new collection has been created between the poles of tradition and contemporary design shortly before the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus. Subtle and nuanced, it creates a unique, timelessly elegant ambience and impresses with the innovative concept texture and colour, meaning almost endless variety.

History

“Only and idea has the power to spread so far.“

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, speech at Walter Gropius’ 70th birthday, 1953

1919
Walter Gropius founds the Staatliche Bauhaus Weimar as a school with workshops for craft design, architecture and visual arts.

1923
The Bauhaus Weimar presents a show of its new works. Gropius formulates the basic principle, which recognises industry as the defining power of the time, “Art and technology - a new unit.“

1925
Move to Dessau and resumption of lessons. The Bauhaus building, planned by Gropius is occupied as of 1926. The entire ensemble of Bauhaus buildings is constructed by 1928.

1928
Walter Gropius steps down. The second director, Hannes Meyer, expands the architecture department. His maxim is, “The needs of the people instead of the need for luxury.“ Industrially produced products are to become more widely affordable. Contacts to industry are intensified.

1929
At the suggestion of Rasch, the first collection of the Bauhaus wallpaper, the so-called "blue Bauhaus card" with 14 surface patterns in 15 colour variations each, is created arising from a competition among the students.

1930
The Bauhaus wallpaper develops to become the school’s most successful product. Hannes Meyer leaves the Bauhaus. The third director, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, succeeds him with a focus on architecture; all other areas and workshops are subordinated.

1932
By decision of the National Socialist-dominated Dessau municipal council, the Bauhaus Dessau has to stop teaching. The continuation in Berlin as a private institute is made possible by license income among other methods.

1933
On 11 April, the National Socialists have the school building sealed off. Three months later, the teachers decide to shut down the school completely.

Today
Despite its short existence from 1919 to 1933, the Bauhaus remains a hallmark and example for architecture and design worldwide today.

Dr Emil Rasch, Managing Director had the vision of a Bauhaus wallpaper.
His sister Maria Rasch, a student of Kandinsky at the Bauhaus initiated the contact.

6 of the 14 patterns from the first Bauhaus collection 1930

The Bauhaus masters on the roof oft he Bauhaus in Dessau, 1926, (photo unknown, Bauhaus archive Berlin /Musée national d'art moderne/Centre de Création Industrielle, Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, legs Nina Kandinsky)

Advertisement “Bauhaus Wallpapers“ October 1931, Rasch Archive