Ernő Goldfinger

Place: Budapest

Born: 1902

Death: 1987

Biography:

Ernő Goldfinger was a prominent figure in the world of architecture and design, known for his innovative and modernist approach. Born on September 11, 1902, in Budapest, Hungary, Goldfinger would go on to become a key member of the Modernist architectural movement in the United Kingdom.

Early Life and Education

Goldfinger's family was involved in forestry and saw-mills, which led him to consider a career in engineering. However, after reading Hermann Muthesius's Das englische Haus, a description of English domestic architecture, Goldfinger became interested in architecture. He moved to Paris in 1921 and studied at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, where he got to know many other Paris-based architects, including Auguste Perret, Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier.

Modernist in London

In 1934, Goldfinger moved to a flat in Highpoint I, London, with his wife Ursula Blackwell. Before World War II, he built three houses, including his own, at 1–3 Willow Road in Hampstead, North London. His own house, 2 Willow Road, is now in the care of the National Trust. Goldfinger's designs were characterized by simplicity and symmetry, reflecting the principles of Roman and Ancient Greek architecture.

Post World War II

After the war, Goldfinger was commissioned to build new offices for the Daily Worker newspaper and the headquarters of the British Communist Party. He also designed two London primary schools from prefabricated pre-cast concrete with brick infill for the London County Council in Putney. A cottage forming part of one of these schools, Brandlehow School, was demolished by a rogue developer who was prosecuted in 2008 and ordered to restore the building to "exactly match" its former appearance. Goldfinger's most notable buildings of the period were the 27-floor Balfron Tower and the adjacent eleven-storey Carradale House in Poplar, which served as models for the similar Trellick Tower in Kensal Town. These three buildings are notable examples of Brutalist architecture.

• Painting by 'Ernő Goldfinger' | Ernő Goldfinger: Design for the exterior of 1-3 Willow Road, Hampstead, London
• Ernő Goldfinger | Ernö Goldfinger was a Hungarian-born British architect and designer of furniture.
• Ernő Goldfinger on Wikipedia

Goldfinger's work has had a lasting impact on the world of architecture and design, and his legacy continues to be celebrated today. As a prominent figure in the Modernist movement, he played a key role in shaping the architectural landscape of the United Kingdom. His designs, characterized by simplicity and symmetry, continue to inspire architects and designers around the world.