Werz, Friedrich Wilhelm

Architect

born: 07.09.1868 in Wiesbaden

died: 17.06.1953 in Wiesbaden

Werz studied from 1889 at the TH Munich under Friedrich von Thiersch, whose office he joined in 1892. In 1894, Werz opened an architectural office in Wiesbaden.

He designed residential buildings, from 1897 in collaboration with the Swiss architect Emil Faesch (1865-1915), then with the Swiss architect Paul Huber (1865-1935). Werz ran a joint office with him from 1901-15. The houses now being built were generally still characterized by historicism, although Art Nouveau forms and motifs also found their way into the design.

As early as 1897, Werz, Huber and Faesch had jointly entered an ideas competition for the new Kurhaus in Wiesbaden. Their design was awarded second prize. In 1902, Werz & Huber took part in the competition for the Landeshaus, from which they emerged victorious. The building was erected in 1903-07 according to the firm's plans. Two years later, in collaboration with Hans Völcker, a temporary art gallery was built near the main railway station for the "First Great Art Exhibition Wiesbaden 1909". After this, the office did not receive any more significant commissions.

Designs, including award-winning ones such as the new museumbuilding or the development of the former railroad site between Rheinstraße and the main railway station, were not executed. It is possible that a conflict between Werz and city planning officer Karl Frobenius (1852-1932) prevented success, which even Thiersch's advocacy for Werz could not bring about. In 1916-21, Werz and Huber, together with the Wiesbaden architect Ludwig Minner, were involved in the reconstruction of East Prussia on behalf of the German Reich. Werz became the district architect of the Lötzen district in Masuria. Back in Wiesbaden, Werz was presumably one of the founders of the Settlers' Association, which built the Eigene Scholle housing estate based on designs by his architectural firm.

In his private life, he devoted himself primarily to watercolor painting and singing. For 30 years, he was chairman of the Wiesbaden male choral society Concordia, later becoming its honorary president. Werz is buried in the North Cemetery.