A Bauhaus Bathroom
1. Introduction
Historic New England, the oldest and largest historic preservation organization in the US, has announced the winner of an international design competition to reimagine the visitor experience at the Gropius House, the historic home of Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius.
2. Presentation
The competition was launched in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus Dessau and aimed to address the lack of a thoughtful and accessible public restroom at the Gropius House. The competition received more than 280 proposals from 40 countries, with nearly a quarter of them coming from outside Europe and North America.
3. About the Project
The winning project, “One Bathroom After Another” by architectural designer Isabel Strauss, features a double volume that echoes the form of the existing garage, distinguishing itself through materials and orientation. The proposal was selected for its contextual sensitivity and its ability to create a clear addition to the site.
4. Schedule
- [Year]: Launch of the competition in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus Dessau
- [Year]: Receipt of over 280 proposals from 40 countries
- [Year]: Announcement of the winner and finalists
5. Prizes
- [Placement]: 1st place – Isabel Strauss (Value: undisclosed, Benefits: project implementation)
- [Placement]: 2nd place – AUYON BACHAR (Value: undisclosed, Benefits: undisclosed)
- [Placement]: 3rd place – Payette (Value: undisclosed, Benefits: undisclosed)
- [Placement]: 4th place – Tomas Sachanowicz and Monika Puchala (Value: undisclosed, Benefits: undisclosed)
- [Placement]: 5th place – Mohsen Laei (Value: undisclosed, Benefits: undisclosed)
6. Jury
The jury was composed of Antoine Picon (Harvard Graduate School of Design), Nader Tehrani (NADAAA), Philip Kennicott (the Washington Post), Suzanne Stephens (Architectural Record), and Tanja Hwang (Museum of Modern Art).