The New Town Hall in Munich stands as the most prominent achievement of Georg von Hauberrisser, who secured the commission at age 25. His career as an architect spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leaving a significant imprint on the architectural landscapes of Germany and Austria through his commitment to Gothic Revival design principles.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1841 in Graz, Georg von Hauberrisser was the eldest child of builder Georg Hauberrisser the Elder and Juliane, née Röckenzaun. After early experience working with his father, he pursued formal architectural training. He studied at the Graz Polytechnic before relocating to Munich in 1862 to attend the Polytechnic and the Academy of Fine Arts. His education continued in Berlin at the Bauakademie under Johann Heinrich Strack and Karl Bötticher, followed by a formative period in Vienna studying under Friedrich von Schmidt, a proponent of the Gothic Revival style.
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Hauberrisser established his professional practice in Munich in 1866. His signature work, the New Town Hall in Munich, entered construction the following year. Beyond this center of municipal administration, his portfolio included the New Town Hall in Wiesbaden, St. Paul's Church in Munich, and the Herz-Jesu-Kirche in his native Graz. He also directed the reconstruction of Bouzov Castle for the Teutonic Order, while designing town halls for Kaufbeuren and St. Johann an der Saar, the latter currently located within Saarbrücken.
Personal Life and Public Honors
In 1868, he married Maria Wessely in Graz; the couple had eight children, six of whom reached adulthood. Notable offspring included the chemist Georg Hauberrisser, the architect Heinrich Hauberrisser, and the dental medicine professor Edwin Hauberrisser. In 1874, he secured Bavarian citizenship and residency in Munich. His professional contributions were recognized with various distinctions, including the Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art in 1893, and an honorary doctorate from the Technical University of Graz in 1911. In 1901, Prince Regent Luitpold awarded him the Order of Merit of the Bavarian Crown, granting him the title Ritter von Hauberrisser. He was named an honorary citizen of Munich in 1921.
Final Years
Hauberrisser died in 1922 at the age of 81 due to heart disease. His remains are interred at the Alter Südfriedhof in Munich. His career left a legacy through a range of municipal and ecclesiastical buildings that continue to serve their respective communities, reflecting the period's stylistic transition.
Fast facts
- Born: 1841, Graz
- Died: 1922, Munich
- Notable work: New Town Hall, Munich
- Citizenship: Austrian and German
- Academic honor: Honorary doctor of the Technical University of Graz
- Member of: Corps Joannea Graz
- Burial site: Alter Südfriedhof, Munich
Questions readers ask
What architectural style did Hauberrisser primarily use?
He was heavily influenced by Gothic Revival architecture, a style he studied under Friedrich von Schmidt in Vienna.
Which major public building did he design?
His most significant project was the New Town Hall in Munich, a commission he received at age 25.
Achievements
- Notable work: New Town Hall
- honorary citizen of Munich
- Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art
- Order of the Iron Crown (Austria)
