Writing

Fritz Höger's Chile House

In the 21st century, nobody lives in the old-fashioned residences such as caves and under the sort of tents which are covered with animal leather any more. Moreover, human beings do not satisfy with their current lives. As we can see through the history, people have been developing, discovering, and creating new things to be satisfied with their lives; for instance, upgraded cars are developing, residential environments are changing, and people’s thoughts for better one are endless. Instinctively, human beings are looking for something better than current one; for example, when people are tired, they want to take some rests and when people feel hungry, they need some food to eat. Among these various instincts, there is an instinct for residential environment. In other words, residential environment is an architectural structure; in addition, architecture is not just a structure because it involves religion, culture, and history.


Fritz H ger was born on June 12, 1877 in Bekenreihe, Schleswig-Holstein which is today Germany. His occupation was not being an architect at the first time. He served an apprenticeship as carpenter and bricklayer for a year. And then, he studied for two years at the school building crafts in Hamburg, Germany. After his study at school, he became a draftsman in the Hamburg architectural practice of Lundt and Kallmorgen. In 1907, he established his own company which was an announcement to the world that indicates the beginning of his own career. He made his name in Hamburg with the design of a number of small houses in an Arts and Crafts style rooted in the work of Herman Muthesius who imported many of his designs from England. From 1911 to 1913, he practiced Rappolt Building and the Klöpper Building in Hamburg. Also, to protect traditional regional culture, he became a supporter of the Home Protection Movement. From 1921 to 1941, he did lots of work to create architectural structure in Germany until five years before he dies. On June 21, 1949, he died in Bad Segeberg, Germany.


Chile House is a striking example of regional manifestation of Expressionism from 1921 to 1924. The Chile House is his masterpiece, a magnificent Expressionist office block anchored in the city centre like a giant, barnacle-encrusted liner. Chile House was built as a office building for a shipping company. It shows well about archetype, prototype, and hybrid as using not only marine architecture, but also the Gothic cathedrals constructed in brick, dark red clinker, that are widespread in the northern part of Germany. It also shows in the form of a giant ocean liner. Its sharply pointed like the bow of a ship at the southeast corner helps it to be known as the best-known building. H ger built three inner courtyards to supply enough light for all the rooms and the arching ribs within on the facades remind the Gothic style, too. After being completed, Chile House became a landmark of Hamburg.


Designed around two courtyards, the building forms a complete city block. Shops are incorporated into the Chile House at street level. Above, the offices follow the curve of a wave-like plan, that climaxes at the eastern tip or "prow". Offices step back from the street line above the sixth storey, and the windows gain arched tops.


Chile House is proof that the twentieth- century office block was able to develop in several directions and the Miesian model was far from being the only one, Höger's brilliance was to design a highly original and truly memorable city building that is urbane and well mannered from the perspective of those walking by. In Hamburg, pedestrians walk alongside Höger's rhythmic arcade.