Annemarie Hubacher-Constam: Hauptentwerferin im Schatten ihrer Partner und ihrer Zeit

Abstract

This chapter examines the life and work of Annemarie Hubacher-Constam, a Swiss architect and founding partner of “Hans Hubacher Architekt”. Despite her central role as the main designer of numerous notable projects, her contributions have been overshadowed by her male colleagues, reflecting broader gender dynamics in post-war architectural practice. Through archival research and oral histories, the chapter interrogates how female architects’ biographies can be narrated ethically: Should the focus remain on individual contributions or should their work be framed within a network of collaborative efforts? Using the 1959 Siedlung Rietholz near Zurich as a case study – an innovative prefabricated housing project suggestive of Annemarie’s involvement – the discussion highlights the challenges of attributing credit in collective design processes. The chapter ultimately questions how to represent women architects’ integrative roles without perpetuating biases, offering a nuanced perspective on constructing architectural histories.