France (Alsace, Strasbourg)

Maison Kammerzell

2882

Date: The core structure dates back to 1427 CE, with stone ground-floor arcade additions in 1467 CE, and its iconic, richly carved timber-framed upper storeys completed in 1589 CE under the direction of the merchant Martin Braun. Period: The Late Gothic transitioning into the German and Alsatian Renaissance (late 16th century).

Architectural Role: Served historically as a high-status merchant's trading house and residence, where the ground stone arcade facilitated commerce and the upper timber-framed floors provided expansive living quarters illuminated by continuous rows of leaded windows. Symbolic and Political Purpose: The dense display of sculptural figures, biblical scenes, classical heroes, and allegories acted as an architectural manifesto. It broadcasted the immense wealth, humanist education, civic pride, and social upward mobility of its prosperous merchant owner within the Free Imperial City of Strasbourg.