The formation of modern architecture during the Weimar Republic in Germany is seen through the works by Bruno Taut, one of the leading architects during that period. Through the extensive literature readings on Bruno Taut and critical analysis of Bruno Taut’s ideologies, his works and the circumstances that he was in, the contention of this paper is that the root of modern architecture has less to do with functionalism and new technologies, but more to do with need to express new ideologies and expressions of their view of a new society. Although the socialistic idea did not account for sole reason for influencing their architecture, it did play a considerable part in deciding what architectural expressions are preferred. For this discourse this paper limits Bruno Taut's years from 1913 to 1932 prior to his exile from Germany; 1913 to 1923 being the years that constitute theoretical activities and 1923 to 1932 being the golden years for social housing when he participated on many public housing projects. It was during this period that his architecture put importance of practicality, and utilitarian; however the transition was not an abrupt departure from his expressionistic architecture but an inclusive act on his part.

The German Werkbund, which was founded in 1907, played an important role in the history of modern architecture. Its exhibition 1914 in Cologne is estimated as a meaningful event in the development of modern architecture. Especially two examples, among which were built at that time, are worthy of notice. The one is the 'Modelfactory' by Walter Gropius and the other 'Glashaus' by Bruno Taut. Generally in the Textbook on the history of modern architecture, the Taut's Glashaus is rarely mentioned or described as a early example of some expressionistic architecture, while the Modelfactory by Gropius is regarded as an essential workpiece in the early stage of modern movement. the time of searching alternative not only from rationalistic modernism but also postmodernism and today in the time of plurality, Taut's Glashaus could bring us more interesting and meaningful aspects in architectural design. Through investigating the background in the planning stage and analysing the composition of space, construction, circulation etc. it is to try to understand the building as really as what it was. Furthermore, historical meanings of the building in the modern architecture is reinterpreted in the following aspects; what should be reflected in architecture and how could 'Zeitgeist' be architecturally adopted?