Inspired by the 2019 Bauhaus centennial, ‘Designing for Precarious Citizens’ links the ideals of the Bauhaus to research by designers and students on the living and housing conditions of vulnerable groups in society today. For the Bauhaus, technology was a tool for reducing the vulnerability of working-class citizens, but in modern society it often prevents people from being able to make decisions about their own future.

The various design projects featured here follow on the ideas of architect Johan Niegeman, one of the few Dutch teachers at the famous Bauhaus. Together with Mart Stam he designed and built several social housing projects in the Soviet Union. Niegeman’s aim was to achieve a better quality of housing for the masses, specifically for groups that live in poor conditions, the so-called precarious citizens.

Designing for Precarious Citizens showcases various design projects in which designers and product-design students applied Niegeman’s ideas to today’s society. Who are the precarious citizens today and how can design be of service to them? Designers can play a crucial role in improving the living conditions of these people. The book also includes key research by designers Frank Kolkman, Giuditta Vendrame, and Klasien van de Zandschulp.

Inspired by the 2019 Bauhaus centennial, ‘Designing for Precarious Citizens’ links the ideals of the Bauhaus to research by designers and students on the living and housing conditions of vulnerable groups in society today. For the Bauhaus, technology was a tool for reducing the vulnerability of working-class citizens, but in modern society it often prevents people from being able to make decisions about their own future.

The various design projects featured here follow on the ideas of architect Johan Niegeman, one of the few Dutch teachers at the famous Bauhaus. Together with Mart Stam he designed and built several social housing projects in the Soviet Union. Niegeman’s aim was to achieve a better quality of housing for the masses, specifically for groups that live in poor conditions, the so-called precarious citizens.

Designing for Precarious Citizens showcases various design projects in which designers and product-design students applied Niegeman’s ideas to today’s society. Who are the precarious citizens today and how can design be of service to them? Designers can play a crucial role in improving the living conditions of these people. The book also includes key research by designers Frank Kolkman, Giuditta Vendrame, and Klasien van de Zandschulp.