Kornwestheim in transition: The impressive industrial history of Manz

Kornwestheim in transition: The impressive industrial history of Manz

The town of Kornwestheim, nestled in the Ludwigsburg district, is rich in industrial history and remarkable architecture. The architect is one of the outstanding personalities of this development Philipp Jakob Manz, who lived between 1861 and 1936 and is considered one of the most important architects of German industrial architecture.

Manz was born on December 2, 1861 in Kohlberg (Württemberg) and grew up in Urach, where he experienced the diversity of rural and industrial life. After his mother's early death, he moved to Stuttgart with his father and began an apprenticeship as a bricklayer, which he combined with studying architecture at the Royal Württemberg Building School. Despite leaving school early after six semesters, Manz was lucky enough to learn from renowned teachers such as Joseph von Egle and Otto Tafel.

The rise of the salamander range

His role in the construction of the Salamander area in Kornwestheim was particularly formative for Manz. Originally founded by Rudolf Moos, the Salamander brand was patented as a trademark in 1899. In the following decades, the area developed into a production site for leather goods and was active for over nine decades. Manz's characteristic architectural style, which often uses attached pilasters or so-called "relief pillars", shaped the industrial buildings and ensured that their architectural style was reminiscent of the North German brick Gothic.

The Salamander brand gained great popularity, including through the mascot Lurchi, which is known from children's books. This figure initially found its way into advertising with an image on shoe polish. Manz combined the functionality of industrial architecture with an aesthetically pleasing design and created factory buildings as well as workers' settlements and villas for manufacturers.

Legacy and recognition

Manz is considered a “lightning architect” because he was known for his quick and efficient construction projects. At its peak, his office employed up to 100 architects and designed between 80 and 100 buildings annually. Despite his influence on modern architecture, his achievements are often under-appreciated, perhaps due to his lack of a formal degree. Many of his buildings were changed or even demolished in the course of modern urban development.

Current efforts aim to preserve Manz’s legacy. The preservation and conversion of his impressive buildings into cultural sites are actively underway to preserve the value of his work and the industrial history in Kornwestheim. These developments are in line with general trends calling for greater appreciation of historic buildings and the region's cultural roots.

In conclusion, it can be said that Philipp Jakob Manz is not only considered an architect, but also a pioneer of industrial construction in Germany, whose influence is still felt today. His life's work remains an important part of Kornwestheim's industrial history and architecture.