Despite being shut down by the Nazis after just fourteen years in existence, the Bauhaus art school stands as one of the defining movements of modern history. This book introduces the school's commitment to creative expression, cutting-edge ideas, and the combination of fine art and technology in a utopian future.

Prologue: Three directors -- Walter Gropius and his path to the Bauhaus -- The roots of artistic radicalism -- The Bauhaus manifesto, 1919 -- The preliminary course -- Apprenticeship and diploma -- The workshops -- Form training, craft training -- Masters and young masters -- Women, men, couples -- From Expressionism to Constructivism -- Theories of design -- Ideas for housing construction -- The director's office in Weimar, 1924 -- The Bauhaus building in Dessau, 1925-1926 -- The Masters' houses in Dessau, 1925-1926 -- The housing estate in Dessau-Törten, 1926-1928 -- New residential architecture -- Reform and avant-garde under Gropius -- Hannes Meyer, director, 1928-1930 -- Changes among the masters -- Scientific design -- The goal of standard products -- The Trade Union School in Bernau, 1928-1930 -- Providing for the people, not catering to luxury -- Meyer's dismissal, 1930 -- Mies van der Rohe, director, 1930-1933 -- Political tensions -- New structures -- Architectural training under Mies van der Rohe -- Reform and avant-garde under Mies van der Rohe -- The Nazi campaign against the Bauhaus -- Epilogue : The Bauhaus legend.