Where Form Follows Function: 14 Bauhaus-Inspired Buys

When architect Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus school in 1919, it would revolutionise 20th-century design principles. By merging fine art with craftsmanship, the movement embraced functionality, simplicity, and geometric abstraction. And, with a vision to create a Gesamtkunstwerk, or ‘total work of art,’ the Bauhaus’ driving impetus was ultimately to break down the barriers between artistic disciplines, calling instead for collaboration among artists, architects, and craftsmen. Despite facing political opposition, the school attracted the likes of Kandinsky, Klee, and Mies van der Rohe, before closing in 1933 with the rise of the Nazi regime.

Yet despite its relatively short time in the sun, the Bauhaus movement has left an indelible mark on modern design, influencing everything from architecture and furniture to graphic design and typography. Here, we round up the pieces that allow form to follow function, from iconic pieces by renowned masters to contemporary interpretations.