Bauhaus Museum Dessau

The Bauhaus Museum Dessau is a fascinating, if paradoxical, experience. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the movement, but it challenges one's expectations from the moment of arrival. The collection itself is nothing short of incredible, offering a comprehensive and deeply impressive look into the history, thought, and work of the Bauhaus school. The inclusion of original sliding plans and elevations is a particularly a standout feature, providing a tangible connection to the creative process of the masters. It is within this collection that the true spirit of Bauhaus lives. However, the architecture of the museum building presents a profound disappointment. From an outsider's point of view, it feels like an antithesis to the very principles it houses. The building is a sterile composition of glass and steel, a modern box that seems to abandon the core tenets of Bauhaus philosophy. For me, Bauhaus is not defined by these industrial materials alone, but by the thoughtful application of proportion and the golden ratio—a design heritage that can be traced back to the ancient temples of Egypt and Greece. This architectural language of harmony and carefully considered space feels entirely absent. The internal journey, however, tells a different, more compelling story, following the five-act structure of a classical drama. The visit begins with an introduction, a gentle and informative entry into the world of Bauhaus. The collection then builds, escalating into a rising action as you delve deeper into the works. The climax arrives as you encounter the core of the exhibition, a moment of profound revelation. It is this curated narrative, rather than the building's shell, that delivers the true essence of the Bauhaus legacy. Ultimately, while the architecture misses the mark, the Bauhaus Museum Dessau is a powerful experience. Its collection is a triumph of curatorial work, and the narrative flow it creates within the space is a testament to the enduring ideas of the school. Go for the art, and be prepared to be both impressed and provoked by the building that contains it.

A wonderful new museum which was built as part of celebrations to mark the centenary of the Bauhaus School, which was located in Dessau in the 1920s. It is huge - costing Euro 30m to build. It provides excellent display spaces for very many Bauhaus objects and artefacts.

Perfect place to admire past mindsets, objects and living "culture", while at the same time getting inspiration and clarity on what matters

This museum is a must see for all Bauhaus enthusiasts! I wasn’t aware about the broad spectrum of the artists. It is not only about modern architecture. You may ask what else have they developed in the times of the ‘Weimarer Republic’ in Dessau and until the 1933? I love the place because it shows you the development of simplified furniture, various fonts, stylish lamps, wall papers, colorful pattern and more. Everything what almost every one of us uses in our daily life. Don’t forget to combine your visits with guided tours in the ‘Meisterhäuser’ and the ‘Bauhaus’ university.

Amazing buildings and impressive exhibitions about the Bauhaus. The ground floor huge space consists museum shop and a cafe. 1st floor consists of an exhibition. You can start on one side and finish on the other side of the building. This a round exhibition. The basement has lockers and a WC. I paid 9 euros for the entrance.

The main reason to stop over in Dessau on my way to Berlin was to visit the new Bauhaus museum designed by a group of young architects from Barcelona. Both the building in itself and of course the collection are highly interesting to visit. I was particularly impressed by the access to most of the old drawings that you can consult. The only thing I really missed was an in-depth review of what happened during the nazi period and during the DDR era when some of the original Bauhaus teachers were forced to work for their oppressors. This summer of 2024 there is a separate exhibition on the nazi period in the Bauhaus museum in Weimar, but even this is rather meager. The museum shop is of limited interest.

The most anticipated Bauhaus Museum Dessau finally opened in Sep. 2019, but it is so much unfortunate that many aspect are way below average and the viewing experience is close to horrible. Let me explain. - The dark light condition. It is too dark inside to concentrate on the exhibition. Instead, it makes people sleepy. With a glass facade, I would expect also a bright interior, but no, the light does not go inside. Under such lighting condition, the main theme color, orange, is simply too much. - The poor orange color. Everyone knows the three main Bauhaus color: blue, yellow, and red. Where is orange? The combination between red and yellow? I seriously don’t understand. and most importantly, the color is NOT pleasant. - The low-positioned label/explanation of exhibitions. As a few others have already pointed, the position of the labels is below knee level. How come? I saw a few elder people tried their best to read everything but their pose is in no way good to their knees. Also, because of the dark light, even sparse light could reach the labels, making it more troublesome to read. At lease for me, reading labels is not encouraged and welcomed here. - The plain design of the building. Personally, the design of this museum does reflect the style and spirit of Bauhaus. Well, it doesn’t have to be of course. But the construction quality is somewhat low. I suspect that the project was rushed for whatever reasons such that everything cannot be in perfection. This is, in my opinion, very wrong. Nonetheless there are positive sides. The exhibited contents are great: they are representative and inspiring, and the Bauhaus spirit should by no mean be undermined.

Interesting and thought-inspiring, rich collection mostly focused on graphic desigh and furniture, I thought there would be more architecture though. It is not overwhealmingly big, I was done after one hour, but you can spend more time exploring all the details and texts. A must-see if you are in Dessau area. Definitely a worthwhile destination for anyone interested in modern design.

Mentioned often in the NYTimes this year, for the 100-year anniversary of the highly influential Bauhaus, this museum was opened in 2019 in Dessau. The exhibit consists of 3 big rooms without a clear route so you can drift around. Recommended to book tickets in advance as they do sell out. The tickets are tied to a time but good for 59 mins after the time. It costs 5€ extra to take photos. Highly recommended to visit the museum as well as the Bauhaus school, master houses, and other Bauhaus buildings in the area. Having a car makes it easier but most places are walkable from the main train station.