Wilhelm Sander was a master architect

Architect

An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...

 and contractor working for Sander & Kock known for his work in German South-West Africa

German South-West Africa

German South West Africa was a colony of Germany from 1884 until 1915, when it was taken over by South Africa and administered as South West Africa, finally becoming Namibia in 1990...

, today's Namibia

Namibia

Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...

.

Sander studied Civil engineering

Civil engineering

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...

 in Höxter

Höxter

Höxter is the seat of the Höxter district, and a town in eastern North Rhine-Westphalia on the left bank of the river Weser, 52 km north of Kassel in the centre of the Weser Uplands...

, Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

. He worked in Berlin

Berlin

Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...

 before joining the German Colonial Society for South-West Africa (Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft für Südwestafrika) and repatriating to German South-West Africa in 1901.

His buildings in Windhoek

Windhoek

Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...

 today are all famous landmarks. The three castles of Windhoek, Heinitzburg

Heinitzburg

Heinitzburg is one of the three castles in Windhoek, Namibia. It was built in 1914 by architect Wilhelm Sander....

, Schwerinsburg

Schwerinsburg

Schwerinsburg is the biggest of three castles in Windhoek, Namibia. Today is the private residence of the Italian ambassador in Namibia.-History:...

 and Sanderburg

Sanderburg

Sanderburg is the smallest of three castles in Windhoek, Namibia. It was built between 1917 and 1919 by architect Wilhelm Sander who designed it as his own place of residence. Its architectural style combines several medieval features....

, are what he is best known for but he also built the Gathemann and Erkrath buildings and was involved in the erection of the Tintenpalast

Tintenpalast

The Tintenpalast is the seat of both chambers of the Namibian legislature, the National Council and the National Assembly...

. Besides his works in Windhoek, Sander also designed Duwisib Castle

Duwisib Castle

Duwisib Castle, sometimes spelt Duwiseb or Duweseb, is a grand pseudo-medieval looking fortress in the hills of the semi-arid Southern Namib region of Namibia. It was built by 'Baron' Captain Hans Heinrich von Wolf , who was posted to German West Africa...

 near Helmeringhausen

Helmeringhausen

Helmeringhausen is a settlement in southern Namibia in the Berseba Constituency in the Karas Region. It is located 200 km northeast of Lüderitz and 500 km south of Windhoek on the crossing of the national roads C14 and C13 , and the road D414 .Helmeringhausen does not have an official governing...

, the German Lutheran church in Keetmanshoop

Keetmanshoop

Keetmanshoop is a city in Karas Region, southern Namibia, lying on the Trans-Namib Railway from Windhoek to Upington in South Africa. It is named after Johann Keetman, a German industrialist and founder of the city....

, and many others.

Wilhelm Sander was married twice: 1910 to Paola née Eck and 1921 to Else née Fröbel. He moved to Lüderitz in 1922, where he stayed until his death in 1930.