Oskar Kaufmann

Architect

Birthday February 2, 1873

Birth Sign Aquarius

Birthplace Romania

DEATH DATE Sep 8, 1956 (83)

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About

Hungarian-Jewish architect known for designing theaters, including the Kroll Opera House, the Hebbel Theater, the Renaissance Theater, each of which were in Berlin, the Neue Stadttheater in Vienna, and Tel Aviv's Habima Theater.

Before Fame

He studied architecture in Budapest, then in Karlsruhe at the Grand Ducal Technical College, where he studied with such notables as Max Laeuger.

Trivia

His work on The Krolloper (Kroll Opera House) took nine years.

Family Life

His wealthy parents wanted him to be a pianist and would not support his architectural education. He married Emma Gonner, whose father was mayor of Baden-Baden, in 1903. He became a Christian in order to satisfy his father-in-law's wishes.

Associated With

He and Frank Gehry both became influential architects, albeit in different generations.