Course

Explore the origins of modern industrial design in Europe and discover how a revolution in thinking transformed the objects of everyday life. This course examines the emergence of industrial design alongside the rise of modernism, as mass production and new technologies reshaped the relationship between form, function, and beauty. While the Bauhaus — founded in 1919 — serves as a central touchstone, we’ll look well beyond it to uncover the broader network of ideas, movements, and innovators who defined this pivotal era. From early antecedents to the leading figures of modern architecture, art, and design, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Europe laid the groundwork for the modern environments we inhabit today.

Faculty Bio

Pierluigi Serraino, Ph.D., FAIA is the author of Modernism Rediscovered. His latest book is The Modern Garden: The Outdoor Architecture of Mid-century America.

This is a Livestreamed + Recorded Course

• Classes will stream live on the scheduled day and time
• Classes will also be video recorded
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Wednesday, Sept. 16, and ends on Wednesday, Oct. 7
• Classes meet for 4 weeks, 1.5 hours per session (10:30 a.m.–noon)
• All course materials will be available in Member Dashboards through Dec. 31

Member Praise for Pierluigi Serraino

Pierluigi is a wonderful instructor--I always learn something new from him, as well as something to think about. He always opens my eyes.

Course materials, organization, Pierluigi's deep knowledge of the specific area and ability to fit it into larger context of regional traditions and international design trends, and receptivity to participant questions & observations ... all great! Highly recommend!

Faculty Q&A

• Read an interview with Pierluigi Serraino from our archive.