Professional activities of Latvian born Lithuanian architect and engineer Karolis Reisonas (1894–1981) in Šiauliai

Abstract

The article introduces the life of not well-known in Latvia Latvian born Lithuanian Karolis Reisonas (in Latvian: Kārlis Reisons; 1894–1981) and his professional activities in Šiauliai city, as well as highlights the main features of the architect’s creative work and the importance of his work in the history of Lithuanian architecture. K. Reisonas was one of the most prominent creators of modern architecture of the 20th century during interwar period in Lithuania. He is the author and co-author of representative buildings in the cities of Lithuania, as well as in Riga and Adelaide (Australia). K. Reisonas graduated from Riga Real School (1913) and St. Petersburg Institute of Civil Engineers (1920). He has worked as the Engineer of the Šiauliai city and Head of the Construction Department of the Municipality (1922–1930), the Director of the Tenth1 Courses of Šiauliai Construction (1925), later – the Director of the Šiauliai Vocational School (1926), and an Advisor of Lithuania Chamber of Agriculture (1927–1928). Fourteen building to his design in Kaunas and Šiauliai cities are included in the list of cultural values of Lithuania. K. Reisonas’ early projects are characterized by historicism, eclectic elements, of «brick style». Later projects have the features of aesthetic rationalism, functionalism, and adaptation to urban and cultural-historical context. After the Second World War, he and his family immigrated to Germany, later Adelaide in Australia, where he participated in the life of the Adelaide Lithuanian community.