Działalność architekta Friedricha Fischera (1879–1944) w Gdańsku i Sopocie

Abstract

The person of the architect Friedrich Fischer has been somewhat forgotten, even though he played a meaningful role in the beginnings of the existence of the Free City of Gdańsk as its first conservator and the first head of the Ground Construction Office. Before and during WW I Fischer worked privately as an architect, mostly in the Gdańsk and Sopot area, and among chosen projects one located in Wrzeszcz, in Uphagena Street, as well as the architect’s own house at 30 Stefana Żeromskiego Street in Sopot can be named. Fischer was also a scholar who obtained a doctorate in 1910 and prepared a postdoctoral thesis, as well as a lecturer at the Department of Architecture at the Technical University (until April 1925). In 1918, he became involved in building administration, carrying out projects for the Housing Estate Office, of which he was the head. He created designs of the street now known as Hallera Street in Wrzeszcz and plans of green areas on former fortification grounds. He also initiated works on the plan of Great Gdańsk, eventually known as the ‘Althoff plan’. In 1923–1925, he was the head of the Ground Construction Office. From this period his designs of the first version of the school in Pestalozziego Street in Wrzeszcz and the unrealised fair building in Gdańsk are known. He designed the completed housing estates in today’s Zbyszka z Bogdańca and Dubois Streets in Gdańsk - -Wrzeszcz as well as several churches for the Catholic community of the Free City of Gdańsk: St Anthony’s Church in Gdańsk -Brzeźno, the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows in Głęboka Street in Gdańsk - Knipawa, and the Church of Christ the King in the small town of Piekło, in the former Wielkie Żuławy District. Fischer was active as Conservator of Architectural Monuments for four years. During this period the function of Conservator of Historical Monuments was merged with the function of the head of the Ground Construction Office. During his service as conservator the preservation of the historical form of the city became a priority The model of proceedings in the Free City area established by Fischer constituted an important point of reference in the following years. He was also involved in the preparation of the Preservation of Historical Monuments Act proclaimed in 1923. In March 1925, Fischer moved to Hannover, where he became associate professor specialising in medieval architecture. He remained in that city and at its university until his death.