Barbara Schock-Werner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barbara Schock-Werner
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| Born | July 23, 1947 |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Architect |
Barbara Schock-Werner is a famous German architect. She was born on July 23, 1947, in Ludwigsburg. She is best known for her important work at Cologne Cathedral. Until she retired in 2012, she was the master builder there. This meant she was in charge of all the work to keep the cathedral in good shape. She was the first and only woman to hold this special job in the cathedral's 800-year history.
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Who is Barbara Schock-Werner?
Barbara Schock-Werner dedicated her life to architecture and art history. Her career led her to one of the most important roles in Germany. She became the person responsible for one of the world's most famous buildings.
Her Path to Architecture
Barbara Schock-Werner started her journey by learning to be a draftsman. This is someone who makes detailed drawings, often for buildings. She did this in Bad Cannstatt.
Studying and Learning
After her apprenticeship, she went to the University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart in Stuttgart. There, she studied architecture and finished her degree in 1971. While she was a student, she spent almost a year working on a very cool project. She helped with the design of the roof for the Olympic Stadium in Munich. This was with a famous architect named Frei Otto.
Later, she continued her studies at the University of Bonn. She finished there in 1975. While working in an architect's office, she also started studying art history. She focused on the history of art at the University of Kiel. Her studies ended with a special research paper about Strasbourg Cathedral in the 15th century. In 1982, she began teaching art and architecture history. She taught at the University of Erlangen and later became a professor.
Leading Cologne Cathedral
In January 1999, Barbara Schock-Werner took on a very important job. She became the master builder at Cologne Cathedral. This was a huge responsibility.
What a Master Builder Does
As the master builder, she spent a lot of time at the cathedral itself. She checked everything carefully and gave instructions to many different workers. This included painters, electricians, carpenters, and bricklayers. Her job was to make sure the cathedral was always well-maintained. She also managed a large budget, which was over six million euros each year. This money was used for all the conservation and restoration work.
Big Projects at the Cathedral
Besides the regular upkeep, she also managed several big projects. These included building new porches for the western doors. She also oversaw the creation of a new window on the south side. This window was designed by a famous artist named Gerhard Richter. She also improved the inside lighting and sound systems. Another important addition was a new entrance building. This building leads to the tower steps and an archaeology area. She retired from this important role in August 2012, when she was 65 years old.
Beyond the Cathedral Walls
Barbara Schock-Werner also has other important roles. She leads the International Association of Master Cathedral Builders. She also chairs the European Association of Master Crafts and Design. She is also on the board of the German Castles Association. Even after retiring from the cathedral, she continues to give lectures. She is an honorary professor at the University of Bonn.
