He was one of four architects responsible for the most significant architectural projects in Lviv. Furthermore, he possessed an exceptional eye – not only for form, but also for colour itself. In this article, we briefly outline the life of Tadeusz Obmiński and the creative path he followed throughout his career.

Tadeusz Obmiński ( 1874–1932) was a Polish architect who chose to make Lviv his home . He graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the local University of Technology, receiving his degree with distinction. Many years later, he became the rector of that university , whilst he obtained his doctorate in the field of timber construction in Poland.

Obmiński gained his professional experience, amongst other places, at the construction firm run by Zygmunt Kędzierski and Michał Ulam, as well as at Ivan Lewiński’s firm . In his early career , the architect readily drew on folk motifs; he also drew inspiration from the Hutsul style ( which combined folk, Art Nouveau and Orthodox church elements) – combining it with other elements drawn from traditional architecture . He designed Bogucki’s villa in Mikuliczyn and the Provincial Council building in Poltava in this style.

Obmiński was also the architect of several villas in the Zakopane style – both in the capital of Galicia and in other towns. However, he was not a particular enthusiast of this style. It should be added that he was, on the other hand, fascinated by Art Nouveau , as can be seen in the ‘Dnister’ insurance company building and Segal’s tenement house – in both cases, he designed the façade.

Obmiński also designed and renovated many religious buildings . For example, he won the competition for the best design for the Church of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn in Lviv’s Lychakiv district – in this case, the architect drew inspiration from early Christian architecture. Today, this building serves as an Orthodox church. He also carried out the reconstruction of the church in Kałusz in the Neo-Gothic style.

Tadeusz Obmiński also designed the building housing the Lviv Polytechnic Library. The building is in the Neoclassical style, characteristic of the architect’s mature period.