Early fascination

With a façade reminiscent of a ship’s bow, Chile House is one of Hamburg’s most distinctive buildings. It is one of a number in the Kontorhaus district, a well-known example of German »brick expressionism« from the 1920s. Schmidt, who as a young man wanted to be an architect or urban planner, admires the brick structure designed by Fritz Höger. When plans to build a glass library building in the immediate vicinity are unveiled in 2006, Schmidt writes a forceful article in DIE ZEIT. His plea for »Hamburg traditions« to be retained is successful – the cathedral square remains an empty space. Parts of the Kontorhaus district, including Chile House, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.