Franz Holik ml.

After graduating from the State Technical School in Vienna, Holik attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna in 1894–1896 and 1899–1901, first under Victor Luntz and later under Otto Wagner. In 1897–1898 he served as a volunteer with an artillery regiment in Vienna. During his studies, he apprenticed in the building firm of his father Franz Holik Sr. and, in 1898–1899, with the builder Alois Schumacher in Vienna. After completing his training as a master craftsman in 1901, he began working independently and also undertook study tours throughout Europe. In 1904–1905 he worked in the studio of the court architect Heinz Gerl in Vienna, and in 1905 he won the competition for Brno’s first-ever city architect. During his time in office, he placed great emphasis on the architectural quality of the city’s approved projects while also designing public buildings (religious structures in particular) and rental housing. Among other things, he drafted plans for an aqueduct from Březová to Brno. He was also a member (from 1910) of the Imperial and Royal Central Commission for Monument Preservation in Vienna, a court expert in the field of construction and architecture (from 1912), and a member of the Association of German Artists of Moravia and Silesia. Holik was also an excellent draftsman and printmaker. After the outbreak of the First World War, he was called up to an artillery regiment on the Galician front, where he was taken prisoner and interned in camps in Siberia. He managed to escape in 1918 and spent two years making a difficult return home via China. In the meantime, he was declared dead, and in 1920 the position of city architect was given to Jindřich Kumpošt. After his return, Holik rejoined the city building office, where he worked until 1935.

Lucie Valdhansová

Architect
Franz Holik ml.

Date of birth
20. 6. 1874 Vídeň

Deceased
22. 7. 1943 Brno