How did the Bauhaus combine art education with technical craftsmanship?

The Bauhaus sought to bridge the historical divide between art and technical craftsmanship by training students equally in both disciplines, viewing architecture as the "matrix of the arts" that unified them.1

To achieve this integration, the school implemented a structured educational approach:

• Preliminary Course: Before entering specialized workshops, students were required to complete a six-month Vorkurs (preliminary course). This foundational training, developed by Johannes Itten, introduced students to the psychological effects of form, color, and texture, as well as the exploration of two- and three-dimensional design using simple materials.21
• Dual Instruction: In the workshops—which included disciplines like carpentry, metal, pottery, and weaving—instruction was typically provided by two faculty members: an artist (the Form Master), who focused on theoretical design, and a craftsman, who provided expertise in technical processes and materials.1
• Practical Application: The curriculum required students to undergo practical crafts training to gain a deep understanding of materials and production processes. While early efforts focused on handicrafts, the school later shifted toward designing prototypes intended for mass manufacture, ensuring that artistic design remained functional and relevant to modern industrial society.21