The Bohemian František Schmoranz studied architecture in Prague. After graduating, he began working as a draughtsman for the architect Carl von Diebitsch in Cairo.
In the years 1868–74, Schmoranz produced numerous detailed drawings of architecture and building decoration, as well as floor plans of historical buildings on site in Cairo. Besides study trips to Upper Egypt, he also travelled to Sicily, Syria, Palestine, Asia Minor and Constantinople.
In 1872, he was commissioned to design the Egyptian pavilion at the Vienna world’s fair, which opened in 1873. That year, Schmoranz founded an architecture studio in Vienna together with his former fellow student Johann Machytka. In addition to the Egyptian pavilion, today he is best known for his designs of orientalizing glassware for the Austrian glass firm Lobmeyer.
In 1880, Schmoranz moved to Prague, where he was appointed head of the School of Arts and Crafts. After working on this assignment for twelve years, Schmoranz died of a long-term lung disease in Prague in 1892.

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