“Life is a continuing practice.” (Hugo Kükelhaus)
1900: Born in Essen on the 24th of March; father: Hugo Kükelhaus senior, writer, middleclass economic politician, co-organiser of the professional self-governing body of the German Craftsmanship; mother: Marie Kükelhaus, born in Hovestadt; two sisters, brothers Heinz and Herman: both writers
1919: Abitur (A-Levels) following apprentice years and its years of travel as carpenter and furniture maker
1925: Master exam, studies in Heidelberg, Münster, Königsberg: focus on sociology, philosophy, mathematics (logic), physiology
1930: Marriage to Emilie, née Scharpenack (1898 – 1986) from Kettwig/Ruhr;
1934 son Friedrich, 1937 daughter Barbara
since 1930: Interior decorator in Bochum; beginning free decorating work and journalistic writing activities
1931 Following his father’s death assumed control of the journal Das Tischlergewerk [The Carpenter Trade]; with interruptions, editor till 1943. 1948 till 1956 freelance contributor to the journal
1934 Moved to Caputh near Potsdam
After 1934 Employee of the Alfred Metzner Verlag [publishing house] in Berlin; as editor of the series Schriften zur deutschen Handwerkskunst [Writings on the German Arts and Crafts] (1935 ff), Die deutsche Warenkunde [German Journal of product trade] (1939 ff) and as author of Urzahl und Gebärde [Primordial Number and Gesture] (1934), Werde Tischler [Become a carpenter] (1936). Lectures, seminars, organization of exhibitions; collaboration in the Deutsches Handwerks-Institut [German Institute of Crafts] and the Kunstdienst (Berlin)
1939 Development of the Greiflinge Allbedeut, a multifunctional assortment of wooden toys for babies and toddlers
1939 – 1945 Soldier, partly exempted for technical schooling and rehabilitation of disabled wounded. Member of the resistance with Fritz-Dietlof Graf von der Schulenburg.
1940 -1941 Curator of arts and crafts in Schlesien [Silesia] through the count’s mediation
1949 – 1954 An apartment in Wamel-on-Möhnesee. House and graphics studio Kätelhön
1950 – 1953 Teaching at the Werkschule Münster (today Fachhochschule für Design [college of higher education for design]), Bildgeschichten vom Träumling [pictured stories of the dreamer] (1951/1952), Das Wort des Johannes [The Word of St. John] (1953)
since 1954 Move to Soest, Bergenthalpark. Then exclusively occupied as a freelance writer (anthropology, cultural criticism, architecture, human physiology and therapy, pedagogy) and visual artist (paintings, sculptures, glass etc.); lecturer for seminars. Contributed as a staff member to interior designs for numerous churches and public buildings.
1957 Artistic design of Evangelical Erlöserkirche in Essen – stained glass windows, coloring, interior decor
After 1960 Intensified theoretical and experimental research into human sensory perception; created objects for experimental exploration
1966 In cooperation with Fritz Kuhn he designed the steel wall in the foyer of the municipal theatre in Dortmund
1967 Presented about twelve objects for experimental exploration at the World Exhibition in Montreal and at the 2nd International School Exhibition in Dortmund
1973 Coined the term “inhumane architecture”; consultant and artistic contributor in terms of organilogical architecture to build schools, kindergartens and industrial companies
1975 First presentation of the “field of experience for the development of human senses” at the international crafts exhibition 'EXEMPLA' in Munich; since then travelling exhibition in numerous German and Swiss cities
1977 Founded the working group for an organological lifestyle Organismus und Technik e.V. in Germany and Switzerland
1977-1982 Project “Field of Experience of the Senses” as permanent exhibition in the park of Cappenberg Castle, Ruhr area
1978 Honoured with the Konrad-von-Soest Prize by the regional authority Westphalia-Lippe
1982-1984 Planning and construction of the 'Graubner House' in Herrischried (southern Black Forest)
1984 Death on October 5 in Herrischried, grave in Mustin near Ratzeburg, his daughter's place of residence.
