Construction of the Berlin Olympic Stadium for the 1936 Summer Olympics defined the career of German architect Werner March. Born in 1894 in Charlottenburg, he navigated the complex political and aesthetic environment of the Third Reich to produce large-scale sports venues and state architecture that remain in use today across international borders.
Professional Origins and Education
Werner March grew up in a family of architects, including his father, Otto March, and his brother, Walter March. He attended the Ludwig Cauer primary school before advancing to the Technische Universität Berlin. This education laid the foundation for his practice within the German architectural landscape, eventually leading him into a career as an architect and university teacher.
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March achieved his most prominent work by designing the Berlin Olympic Stadium. The structure was placed on the site of the Deutsches Stadion, which his father had originally developed for the 1916 Summer Olympics. The completed stadium features a capacity of 74,228 and served as a venue for both the 1974 and 2006 FIFA World Cup competitions. During the 1936 Summer Olympics, he and his brother Walter were awarded a gold medal in the event's art competitions.
Design Work and Later Career
Beyond his sports architecture, March designed Carinhall, which served as the hunting lodge-style country residence for Hermann Göring. His portfolio also included the National Museum of Iraq and plans for the Zentralstadion. In his later years, he expanded his reach to Egypt, designing the Cairo International Stadium between 1956 and 1960 as a multi-purpose facility for football and Olympic sports.
Professional Standing and Death
Throughout his life, March held membership in the Association of German Architects and the Deutsche Akademie für Städtebau und Landesplanung. His contributions earned him the German Olympic Decoration, including the 1st Class distinction, and the Ring of Honour of the city Minden. He died in 1976 in Dahlem and was buried at the Luisenfriedhof II.
Fast facts
- Born: 1894, Charlottenburg
- Died: 1976, Dahlem
- Nationality: German
- Notable work: Berlin Olympic Stadium
- Education: Technische Universität Berlin
- Awards: German Olympic Decoration 1st Class
- Burial site: Luisenfriedhof II
Questions readers ask
Did Werner March design the Cairo International Stadium?
Yes, he designed the stadium between 1956 and 1960.
What was the capacity of the Berlin Olympic Stadium?
The stadium has a capacity of 74,228.
