Despite lacking formal academic qualifications in architecture, the Northern German builder established himself as a central figure in the development of the Brick Expressionist style during the early twentieth century.
Early Career and Training
Born in 1877 in Elmshorn, Höger grew up in a family involved in the carpentry trade. He trained as a carpenter at age 14 before moving to Hamburg to complete his master-level training by 1899. His initial professional experience included four years as a technical draftsman at the firm of Lundt and Kallmorgen. In 1905, he married Annie Oldenburg, the daughter of his employer, Fritz Oldenburg, subsequently joining his father-in-law's company.
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Höger opened his own architectural practice in 1907. Lacking higher education credentials, he was denied admission to the Association of German Architects, yet he maintained a steady stream of private commissions in Hamburg. He developed a signature style using clinker bricks, chosen for their superior strength and frost resistance. His techniques, including specific arrangements of eaves and stepped floors, were notably applied to the building currently occupied by the Kaufhof department store. His approach aligned with theories promoted by Hamburg chief architect Fritz Schumacher, who argued that brick materials possessed an inherent earthiness suitable for Northern German landscapes.
Major Works and Civic Projects
Beyond the Chilehaus, which was commissioned by Henry B. Sloman, Höger designed several significant urban structures. The Anzeiger-Hochhaus in Hannover, constructed from 1927 to 1928, stands 51 meters high and is noted as the city's first skyscraper. It features red clinker brickwork accented with gold decorative elements and a green copper dome, originally designed to house a planetarium and now operating as a cinema. Other recognized projects include the Kirche am Hohenzollernplatz in Berlin and the Wilhelmshaven town hall.
Political Affiliation and Later Years
Höger served in Flanders, France, during the First World War from 1914 to 1918. In 1927, he joined the staff of the Völkischer Beobachter, later becoming a member of the NSDAP in 1932. Despite his political associations, his Expressionist design language did not align with the classicist marble aesthetic preferred by the Nazi leadership. Consequently, he was unable to secure a position as a state architect. He died in 1949 in Bad Segeberg.
Fast facts
- Born: 1877, Elmshorn
- Died: 1949, Bad Segeberg
- Citizenship: Germany
- Primary Style: Brick Expressionism
- Key Work: Chilehaus, Hamburg
- Notable Employer: Lundt & Kallmorgen
- Political Party Membership: NSDAP
- Professional Role: Architect and university teacher
Questions readers ask
Did Fritz Höger receive formal architectural training?
No, he trained as a carpenter and draftsman but lacked higher education in architecture, which prevented his entry into the Association of German Architects.
What is the Fritz Höger Prize?
Established in 2008, it is a competition endowed with 10,000 euros that awards excellence in brick architecture across various categories.
Achievements
- Movement: Brick Expressionism
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