First book devoted to the work of émigré architect Henry Kulka published

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Only 350 copies of the 400-page hard-cover book have been printed. Image: Mary Gaudin

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Sharp House, Auckland, New Zealand (1964). Image: Mary Gaudin

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Halberstam House, Karori, Wellington, New Zealand (1948). Image: Mary Gaudin

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Penrose House, Auckland, New Zealand (1943). Image: Mary Gaudin

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Landhaus Khuner, Kreuzberg, Austria (1929–1930). Image: Mary Gaudin

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Apartment Semler, Plzeň, Czechia (1932–1934). Image: Mary Gaudin

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Villa Kantor, Jablonec nad Nisou, Czechia (1933–1934). Image: Mary Gaudin

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Henry Kulka (second from right) was the best man at Adolf Loos and Claire Beck’s wedding in 1929. Image: Copyright Janet Beck Wilson, photographer unknown

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New Zealand photographer Mary Gaudin and architect Giles Reid have together published the first-ever book devoted to the work of émigré architect Henry Kulka (1900–1971).

Born in Moravia (modern-day Czechia), Heinrich Kulka first studied under, and then worked alongside Adolf Loos (1870 – 1933), widely considered to be one of the masters of modern architecture. Together, the pair created some of central Europe’s most significant architectural works of the 20th century and Kulka was a key figure in the development of Raumplan architecture between 1919 and 1938.

Sadly, Kulka’s own career in Europe was cut short by World War Two when, as a Jewish architect, he was forced to flee persecution and start again. He arrived in New Zealand in 1940 and it was here that he worked for the next 30 years, creating a unique body of work, much of which is now in a fragile state.

“Henry Kulka is often cited but his work is little known,” says Giles Reid, a New Zealand architect living in England. “This book is an attempt to rediscover the architect, through new photography and writing, helping to reveal the beauty and depth of what remains.”

The 400-page hardcover book includes 254 photographs; approximately 230 of which were taken by Mary Gaudin, a New Zealand photographer living in France. The remaining imagery was sourced from both individuals and institutions. Only 350 copies of the 157mm x 210mm book have been printed, which includes eight texts, scaled plans and archival material.

A review of Henry Kulka will be published in the March/April 2023 issue of Architecture NZ magazine and will be reproduced here on ArchitectureNow.

The book, which was made possible with the support of both The Warren Trust and The Fletcher Trust, can be ordered from marygaudin.com/projects/henry-kulka and inquiries can be sent to [email protected]