An original architectural floor plan for the basement of the Bauhaus building in Dessau, designed by Walter Gropius in 1925.

This architectural drawing represents the basement level of the Bauhaus building in Dessau, designed by Walter Gropius. Completed between 1925 and 1926, the structure remains a primary example of modernist architecture. The plan illustrates the functional organisation of the lower level, which accommodated various workshops, storage areas, and utility spaces essential to the school's pedagogical mission. The drawing employs a precise, technical graphic language characteristic of the period. The layout reveals the asymmetrical, pinwheel-like configuration that Gropius utilised to connect different wings of the building. By separating the various functions into distinct zones, the design prioritised efficiency and clarity of movement. The lines are clean and utilitarian, reflecting the Bauhaus philosophy that form should follow function. As a document of architectural history, this plan provides insight into the rigorous planning required to house the diverse activities of the Bauhaus. The basement housed the printing workshop, storage for materials, and various service rooms, all arranged to support the upper-level studios and classrooms. The drawing itself is a testament to the systematic approach Gropius brought to his projects, where every square metre was calculated to serve a specific purpose within the larger institutional framework. This print offers a view into the structural foundations of one of the most influential design schools of the twentieth century.