Joseph Finger
Encyclopedia
Joseph Finger was an Austrian-born architect most active in Texas in the 1930s and 1940s, responsible for a number of Houston Art Deco
landmarks.
Finger was born in Bielitz, Austria (now Bielsko
, Cieszyn Silesia
, Poland) and was educated there. Moving to the United States in 1905, Finger settled first in New Orleans then moved to Houston, Texas
three years after. After years in different partnerships, Finger opened his own office from 1923 to 1944.
Finger was the father of Joseph Seifter Finger, a landscape architect and golf-course designer also locally active.
, designed in a stripped classical style. In response to criticism from Houston mayor R. H. Fonville, who wanted a style with more classical reference, Finger said, "Here in America we are rapidly developing our own type of architecture which is far above that of foreign countries. We are building for the masses, not the classes."
Above the lobby entrance of the City Hall is a stone relief of two men taming a wild horse, symbolizing a community coming together to form a government to tame the world around them. This sculpture, and the twenty-seven other friezes around the building, were done by Beaumont artist Herring Coe and co-designer Raoul Josset
.
As the city's foremost Jewish architect in his time, Finger designed many Jewish landmarks, including the 1925 Congregation Beth Israel Temple, now the Heinen Theatre.
Finger's other work includes:
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
landmarks.
Finger was born in Bielitz, Austria (now Bielsko
Bielsko
Bielsko was until 1950 an independent town situated in Cieszyn Silesia, Poland. In 1951 it was joined with Biała Krakowska to form the new town of Bielsko-Biała. Bielsko constitutes the western part of that town....
, Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia
Cieszyn Silesia or Těšín Silesia or Teschen Silesia is a historical region in south-eastern Silesia, centered around the towns of Cieszyn and Český Těšín and bisected by the Olza River. Since 1920 it has been divided between Poland and Czechoslovakia, and later the Czech Republic...
, Poland) and was educated there. Moving to the United States in 1905, Finger settled first in New Orleans then moved to Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
three years after. After years in different partnerships, Finger opened his own office from 1923 to 1944.
Finger was the father of Joseph Seifter Finger, a landscape architect and golf-course designer also locally active.
Work
Finger's major work is undoubtedly the 1939 Houston City HallHouston City Hall
The Houston City Hall building is the headquarters of the City of Houston government. It was constructed in 1938-1939, and is located in Downtown Houston. It is surrounded by skyscrapers and very similar to dozens of other city halls built in the southwest United States during the same time...
, designed in a stripped classical style. In response to criticism from Houston mayor R. H. Fonville, who wanted a style with more classical reference, Finger said, "Here in America we are rapidly developing our own type of architecture which is far above that of foreign countries. We are building for the masses, not the classes."
Above the lobby entrance of the City Hall is a stone relief of two men taming a wild horse, symbolizing a community coming together to form a government to tame the world around them. This sculpture, and the twenty-seven other friezes around the building, were done by Beaumont artist Herring Coe and co-designer Raoul Josset
Raoul Josset
Raoul Jean Josset was a French born American sculptor.During the First World War, he worked as an interpreter for American forces in France. He was a pupil of Antoine Bourdelle between 1920 and 1926...
.
As the city's foremost Jewish architect in his time, Finger designed many Jewish landmarks, including the 1925 Congregation Beth Israel Temple, now the Heinen Theatre.
Finger's other work includes:
- Texas State Hotel (Now Club QuartersClub QuartersClub Quarters builds private full service hotels for cost conscious organizations in prime city center locations where their member organizations travel for business in the US and UK. There are fourteen locations in total, 4 in New York, 7 in major US city centers and 3 in London with a fourth to...
) Houston, 1929 - Montgomery County Courthouse, Conroe, TexasConroe, TexasConroe is a suburban city 40 miles north of Houston in the gulf coastal plains/piney woods region of southeast Texas.It is the seat of Montgomery County and falls within the metropolitan area.As of the 2000 U.S...
, 1935 - Houston Municipal Airport Terminal, now the 1940 Air Terminal Museum1940 Air Terminal MuseumThe 1940 Air Terminal Museum is a museum located in Houston, Texas, United States at William P. Hobby Airport. Collections are housed in the original art deco building which served as the first terminal for passenger flight in Houston...
- Harris County Courthouse, Houston, 1953 (with partner Rustay, his last design)
- Barker Brothers Studio, Houston, 1931 now Lawndale Art Center