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Margaret Kropholler
MargaretKropholler.jpg
Born (1891-06-27)June 27, 1891
Died November 15, 1966(1966-11-15) (aged 75)
Nationality Dutch
Alma mater Amsterdam Academy of Architecture
Occupation Architect
Spouse(s) Jan Frederik Staal m. 1936, died 1940
Amsterdam Woonhuis Holendrechtstraat 1-47 005
Margaret Staal-Kropholler: apartment building, Holendrechtstraat 1-47, Amsterdam (1923)

Margaret Staal-Kropholler, often called Margaret Kropholler, was a famous Dutch architect. She was born in Haarlem on June 27, 1891, and passed away in Amsterdam on November 15, 1966. Margaret was very special because she was the first woman in the Netherlands to become a professional architect.

Early Life and Training

After finishing school in Amsterdam in 1907, Margaret started working. She became a trainee at an architecture firm called Kropholler en Staal. Her brother, Alexander Kropholler, worked there with Jan Frederik Staal.

Margaret also went to an arts and crafts school in Haarlem. Later, she took evening classes at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture from 1914 to 1916. In 1910, her brother Alexander started his own business. Margaret continued to work with Jan Frederik Staal, and they later got married. At first, she mostly designed furniture, lamps, and other objects. But she also started to get some building projects.

Margaret's Architecture Career

First Projects and Recognition

In 1913, when Margaret was only 21, she got her first big job. She was asked to design the inside of Het Huis 1913 (The 1913 House). This was part of a special exhibition in Amsterdam called De Vrouw 1813–1913 (Woman 1813-1913).

In 1915, she worked for six months for the Amsterdam Public Works Department. From 1916, she started working as an independent architect. She also continued to work with J. F. Staal.

Designing in the Amsterdam School Style

In 1917, Margaret was one of five architects who helped build 16 houses. These houses had thatched roofs and were in the park area of Bergen. They mostly used tiles and terracotta decorations. The four houses Margaret designed clearly showed the style of the Amsterdam School. This was a unique Dutch architectural style.

Her successful work on this project was noticed by H. T. Wijdeveld. He praised her for being the first woman to do such fine work in architecture.

International Awards and Modern Designs

In the years that followed, Margaret continued to design buildings in the Amsterdam School style. She gained international fame in 1925. She won a silver medal for her architectural work at the Paris Decorative Arts Exposition. This was a big international event.

In the late 1920s, her designs started to look more Modernistic. In the 1930s, she worked with her husband on several projects. Her husband, Staal, really valued her input. He thought her work was excellent, especially the interiors she designed. She created beautiful interiors for the Beurs-World Trade Center in Rotterdam, which was finished in 1940.

Post-War Work and Later Years

After World War II, Margaret suggested many ideas for rebuilding homes. However, her plans were often turned down. This was because new rules limited the size of buildings and rooms.

Despite this, she was very successful with interior design. She received over 40 commissions to renovate store interiors. After this, her architectural work was mostly limited to surveys and giving lectures. She remained active in her field into the 1960s.

Focus on Home Design

As both a housewife and an architect, Margaret Kropholler understood something important. She knew that women needed to spend less effort on daily household chores. She believed that by designing comfortable and well-equipped homes, she could make life easier for women.

She designed homes with practical layouts. From 1918, she often shared her ideas on what a functional home needed. She gave presentations to groups like the Dutch Association for Housewives. She also wrote articles in journals about her ideas.

Notable Architectural Works

  • Housing in Holendrechtstraat, Amsterdam: In 1921, Margaret and other architects were asked to design apartment blocks. These were in the south of Amsterdam. She used the Amsterdam School style for several four-story buildings. They had balanced fronts and balconies that stuck out.
  • Louise Went House, Amsterdam: In 1959, Margaret was asked to build a large apartment block. This project was started by Louise van der Pek-Went, who wanted housing for single people. The building had a central staircase and two wings. It contained 170 apartments, each with a kitchen, toilet, and bathroom. There were also 11 guest rooms. This building was completed in 1963.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Margaret Kropholler-Staal para niños

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