The Principles of Bauhaus, Inherited Even Today, Over 110 Years After His Birth

Max Bill was born in Winterthur, Switzerland, in 1908. After studying engraving in Zurich, he moved to Germany and studied design at the Bauhaus in Dessau under founder Walter Gropius and Herbert Bayer. Having studied at the Bauhaus during its peak, he inherited the Bauhaus principle of "functionalist design" and dedicated himself to founding the Ulm School of Design in 1950, serving as its first president. He was active in a wide range of fields in the design world, including products, graphics, architecture, and interiors, and was also known as a sculptor and painter, leaving behind outstanding achievements as a theorist and critic.

He consistently pursued a creative process based on "regularity" and "logic" in all fields, advocating for concrete art that pursued beauty based on mathematical truth, and put this philosophy into practice in his designs. He can truly be called one of the designers who shaped today's design history. Now, the "Three Round Tables," designed by Max Bill, and a new specification of the masterpiece "Ulm Stool," which inherits the principles of the Bauhaus, make their Japan debut.



The "Three Round Tables" are characterized by their geometric form, composed of three circles. They became widely popular in the 1950s, after Max Bill designed this table between 1949 and 1950. The soft, rounded curves create a sense of spaciousness and gently maintain the flow of movement in living and dining areas. There are three types available: "High," suitable for use as a dining table; "Low," ideal for a living room or coffee table; and a smaller "Small" version. The wood is maple, and the tabletop is finished with linoleum in three colors: "Olive," "Black," and "Blue." These tables with their soft curves are sure to function beautifully even in limited spaces.

Meanwhile, the "Ulm Stool" was created in 1954 at the Ulm School of Design, embodying multiple functions such as a work desk, lecture seating, side table, and even a portable surface for books. Stripped of unnecessary functions and designs, this iconic stool, which directly inherits the concepts of the Bauhaus, will be available in a new specification in Japan for the first time in 2019. The new specification comes in two types: a modern black finish with a slightly matte texture, and a luxurious walnut with a beautiful wood grain. The "Black" model, unlike the standard unfinished model, uses solid birch wood, which is more resistant to scratches. It is dyed and then finished with clear urethane, ensuring durability. The "Walnut" model, on the other hand, is made entirely of walnut wood, making it an exceptionally luxurious piece, especially considering the Ulm Stool's construction without any nails, using only joinery techniques. Its extremely simple U-shape allows for versatile placement and use, limited only by imagination. It can be a stool one moment, and a side table the next.



Even now, over 110 years after his birth, his influence on the design and art worlds is widespread, and a design philosophy that transcends trends lives on. Both the "Three Round Tables" and the new specification of the "Ulm Stool" undoubtedly offer long-term, multi-purpose usability without limiting their functions.

Three Round Table
Size |
• High Φ1100×H720mm
• Low Φ1100×H440mm
• Small Φ825×H330mm
Material | Maple / Linoleum finish
Price |
• High ¥594,000
• Low ¥518,400
• Small ¥356,400

Ulm Stool Walnut / Black
Size | W390×D290×H440mm
Material | WN Walnut / BK Birch, Beech
Price | Walnut ¥108,000 / Black ¥75,600