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Sarasota News Leader December 14, 2012 Page 61 ART LECTURER JEAN RENOUX DISCUSSES THE HISTORY OF THE DESIGN SCHOOL AND ITS RELEVANCE IN A GREEN ERA By Tyler Whitson Contributing Writer For almost two hours on a recent evening, a tion in 1933 because of outside pressure from group of people in Sarasota immersed them- the Nazi regime; and finally the indelible imselves in a ���Bauhaus experience.��� pression the short-lived school has made on contemporary architecture and design all over On Tuesday, Nov. 20, Sarasota interior designer, academic lecturer and professional archi- the world. tectural instructor Jean Renoux delivered a talk on the history and design concepts of Bauhaus ��� meaning ���School of Building��� ��� a German philosophy of design that existed during the first half of the 20th century. Accompanied by vibrant slides and photographs, Renoux went into great detail about the institution, explaining its conceptual roots as a synthesis of forward-thinking craftsmanship and fine art; its inception in 1919; its growth; its heyday; its struggles; its dissolu- During the lecture and subsequent question-and-answer session, Renoux touched on a number of different themes and concepts that were cornerstones of the Bauhaus movement, focusing particularly on the school���s use of progressive technology to design the most efficient and ergonomic living and work spaces, machines, vehicles, furniture, decorations, toys and other products that would not only be affordable for the working class, but would also be comfortable and durable. The study lounge inside New College of Florida���s Academic Center utilizes decor for aesthetic as well as functional purposes. The high backs of the sofas, for example, though not necessarily practical, may provide users with a sense of privacy that could enhance their concentration on tasks without making them feel isolated from the rest of the room. Photo by Arielle Scherr