Förk, Ernő (1868 - 1934)

Architect, builder and university professor. Originally trained as a sculptor, Ernő Förk gained experience as a master of works, and then studied as a pupil of Friedrich von Schmidt in the Department of Architecture of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. In 1891, he became an assistant of Imre Steindl, another Schmidt pupil, at the Technical University of Budapest and worked in his architect’s office. Steindl assigned him the interior design work for the Hungarian Parliament. In 1898, he was appointed professor in the Magyar Királyi Állami Felső Építő Ipariskola (Hungarian Royal State Senior School of Building), where he served as director between 1920 and 1929. He designed the renovation of, and additions to, many churches in Hungary, and in many competitions he achieved a high placing, or his plans were recommended by the jury for purchase. His wrote extensively on architectural history and published a survey of Hungarian historic monuments that he carried out together with his students in the School of Building. One of his most outstanding works is the Votive Church in Szeged, for which he adapted Frigyes Schulek’s original plans.