Ludwig Becker (architect)


Ludwig Becker was a German architect.

Life

Becker was born the son of the eponymous Cologne master craftsman and master builder. He studied from 1873 at the Technical University of Aachen and was trained in addition to the stonemason and sculptor at the Cologne Dombauhütte. In Mainz he was named church master builder in 1884, and cathedral master builder from 1909 to 1940. After 1909 he partnered with Anton Falkowski, and later with his son, the church architect Hugo Becker.
Becker also worked as a construction researcher at the Mainz Cathedral, who brought important findings to light; however, his conclusions were flawed. His thesis was that the construction of the Mainz Cathedral was already begun in Constantine the Great's time in the 4th century, but he could not convincingly demonstrate the claim, which was unanimously rejected by experts.
Becker's grave is in Mainz's main cemetery.

Work

Becker dealt with over 300 churches, which he restored, rebuilt or rebuilt. He used numerous styles of various historical architectural styles, as is customary in historicism. He designed many buildings together with his business partner Anton Falkowski. Becker and Falkowski preferred Romanesque and Gothic before the First World War, then simple baroque. From about 1930, expressionist stylistic devices were also used.