Archaeology of Modernism

The Bauhaus Building in Dessau, designed by Walter Gropius in 1926, represents a "built manifesto of Bauhaus ideas" and is one of modernism’s most important buildings. Together with the associated Masters’ Houses (Meisterhäuser), the Houses with Balcony Access (Laubenganghäuser) in Dessau, and Bauhaus buildings in Weimar and Bernau, it is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The book focuses on strategies for preserving the Bauhaus Building. It presents the building—and its eventful history—from its construction to its destruction, rebuilding, and restoration. Using texts, photographs, and numerous blueprints, the book provides a detailed exploration of specific aspects of the architecture—such as the building’s outer shell, materials, construction, color scheme, and surfaces—and the long-term preservation concept for the site. In doing so, it proposes structural measures aimed at adapting the building to today’s challenges and at conserving the building with its historic and artistic characteristics.

Archaeology of Modernism. Preservation Bauhaus Dessau is the revised and expanded edition of Archaeology of Modernism. Renovation Bauhaus Dessau, which was published by JOVIS as Volume 23 of the EDITION BAUHAUS series in 2006. This new edition is presented as Volume 58.