Rudolf Kern


Rudolf Kern was an important designer and builder in Bydgoszcz, at the end of the Prussian period of the city. Most his works have been realized between 1903 and 1914. His artistic style relates to Art Nouveau and Modernism.

Life

Rudolf Kern allegedly practised in the studio of Józef Święcicki.
From 1903 to the beginning of the 1920s, he his own architectural and construction office. At that time, like many architects from Bydgoszcz, he was involved in the design and construction of tenement houses that were then sold to profitable real estate brokers. This process was particularly noticeable in the erection of edifices along Cieszkowskiego Street.
In Bydgoszcz, he lived until 1922 in his own house at the corner of Gdańska Street and Adam Mickiewicz Alley

Style

Rudolf Kern's style is characterized by Art Nouveau features and details.
In 1912, one of his projects was awarded most beautiful new building of the year, in a competition organized by city authorities: it stands at 20 January 1920 Street 24.

Works in Bydgoszcz">Bromberg">Bydgoszcz

YearEdificeRemarksPicture
1900House at August Cieszkowski Street 4The project was based on a Józef Święcicki's blueprint. The building underwent a thorough renovation in 2017-2018.
1902–1903House at August Cieszkowski Street 10The plot where stands the house belonged to Józef Święcicki: he sold it in 1902, to his colleague Rudolf Kern.
1903–1904Chodkiewicza Street 22Located at the corner of Chodkiewicza and Paderewskiego streets. Among first realizations in Bydgoszcz for Julius Berger, a merchant
1903–190420 Stycznia 1920 Street 2Among first realizations in Bydgoszcz for Julius Berger, a merchant.
1903–1904Rudolf Kern BuildingLocated at Adam Mickiewicz Alley 1. Built for Kern's own use.
1903–1904Villa at Adam Mickiewicz Alley 15Built for Julius Berger, a merchant.
1904Hübschmann HouseThe villa is located at Paderewskiego 4. Alfred Hübschmann was a merchant in clothing business.
1904Heinrich Kirsch tenementThe building is located at Dworcowa Street 86. The main elevation has suffered from successional renovations that obliterated many architectural details.
1904–1905Villa at Adam Mickiewicz Alley 13Built for Julius Berger, a merchant.
1904–1905Tenement at Adam Mickiewicz Alley 7Registered on Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship heritage list, No.601379, Reg.A/1082
1905–1906Tenement at Józef Weyssenhoff Square 1Built for Julius Berger, a merchant.
1904–1905House at Adam Mickiewicz Alley 9Built for Arnold Schattschneider, first head of the Music School of Bydgoszcz.
1904–1905Eduard Schulz TenementIt stands at Gdańska Street 66-68. Eduard Schulz was a local restaurateur.
1906–1907Tenement at Adam Mickiewicz Alley 5Built for Adolf Berger, a merchant.
1906–1907Tenement at Chodkiewicza street 14Located at the corner with 20 Stycznia 1920 street. Built for Friedrich Fiedler, a merchant.
1906–1907Tenement at Gdańska Street 24Commissioned by merchant Julius Berger, it has been heavily ravaged by a fire in 1945.

YearEdificeRemarksPicture
1906–1908Gdańsk Street 71The tenement has been the seat, since 1938-1939, of the Municipal Conservatoire.
1908–1909Tenement at 20 Stycznia 1920 street 27Built for Dittmann, a merchant.
1909August Mentzel TenementLocated at Gdańska Street 5, it has been rebuilt by R. Kern.
1909Julius Grey houseLocated at Gdańska Street 35, it has been renovated by R. Kern.
1909–1910Tenement at Chodkiewicza street 2AVilla at the corner with 20 Stycznia 1920 street. Built for Guenthar, a teachermerchant, the house has been recently refurbished.
1910Tenement at 20 Stycznia 1920 street 16The building was the property of Rudolf Kern himself.
1910Villa at 20 Stycznia 1920 street 29The building was commissioned by Alexander Schmidt, a factory manager.
1910–1911Tenement at Gdanska street 67First landlord was Carl Ernst, a butcher.
1910–1911Tenement at Zamoyskiego street 11The building was commissioned by Hermann Draheim, a rentier.
1910–1911Tenement at Zamoyskiego street 13The building was commissioned by Hermann Pflaum.
1911Building at 20 Stycznia 1920 street 24The building was erected for Emil Zemisch, a building contractor.
1911–1912Tenement at 20 Stycznia 1920 street 18The building was erected for Mr Weiss, a master bricklayer.
1911–1912Tenement at Paderewskiego 13Commissioner was Emil Heydemann, a master bricklayer.
1913Savoy BuildingLocated at Jagiellońska street 2, corner with Theatre square
1913–1915Tenement at Paderewskiego 23Both facades combine eclectic-neo-classical style and Art Nouveau features.
1914Villa at Wyspiańskiego street 6
1914–1916House at Kopernika Street 5/7Built for the Secretary of the Bydgoszcz Regency, Ernest Werner.