Sverre Fehn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1924-08-14)14 August 1924 |
| Died | 23 February 2009(2009-02-23) (aged 84) Oslo, Norway |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Awards | Heinrich Tessenow Gold Medal Pritzker Prize |
| Buildings | Norwegian Glacier Museum |
Sverre Fehn (14 August 1924 – 23 February 2009) was aNorwegian architect.[1]
Fehn was born atKongsberg inBuskerud, Norway. He was the son of John Tryggve Fehn (1894–1981) and Sigrid Johnsen (1895–1985).He received hisarchitectural education at theOslo School of Architecture and Design inOslo. He entered his course of study in 1946 and graduated during 1949. Among other instructors, he studied underArne Korsmo (1900–1968).[2]
In 1949, Fehn and architectGeir Grung (1926–1989) won the competition for the Museum Building for the Sandvig Collections atMaihaugen inLillehammer.In 1950, Fehn joined PAGON (Progressive Architects Group Oslo, Norway). The group, which was led by Arne Korsmo, had the goal of implementing and promoting modern architecture.[3]
In 1952–1953, during travels inMorocco, he discoveredvernacular architecture, which was to deeply influence his future work. Later he moved toParis, where he worked for two years in the studio ofJean Prouvé, and where he knewLe Corbusier. On his return to Norway in 1954, he opened a studio of his own in Oslo.[3]
At the age of 34, Fehn gained international recognition for his design of the Norwegian Pavilion at the1958 Brussels World Exhibition.[2] In the 1960s he produced two works that have remained highlights in his career: the Nordic Pavilion at theVenice Biennale (1962) and theHedmark Museum in Hamar (1967–79). Other notable works include theNorwegian Glacier Museum atFjærland (1991-2002) and theNational Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo (2003–08).[4]
He was a professor atOslo's School of Architecture from 1971 to 1995 and principal from 1986–1989. He additionally lectured throughout Europe including atParis,Stuttgart andBarcelona. He also lectured in the United States at theCranbrook Academy of Art inBloomfield Hills,Michigan,Cooper Union inNew York City andMassachusetts Institute of Technology inBoston.[5]
Fehn designed over 100 buildings.[6] Some of the most notable are:
In 1961, he was awarded theHouen Foundation Award, jointly with Geir Grung, for the design of the Økern Nursing Home in Oslo. He received the Houen Foundation Award for his design of the Hedmark Museum at Hamar in 1975. In 1994 he was appointed Commander in theOrder of St. Olav.[4]
In 1998, he was awarded theNorsk kulturråds ærespris.Sverre Fehn was awarded the firstGrosch medal in 2001. In 2003, he was awarded theAnders Jahre Cultural Prize (Anders Jahres kulturpris).[7][8]
His highest international honour came in 1997, when he was awarded both thePritzker Architecture Prize and theHeinrich Tessenow Gold Medal (Heinrich-Tessenow-Medaille).[9][10]
In 1952, he married Ingrid Løvberg Pettersen (1929–2005).Fehn died in his Oslo home at the age of 84.[11] He was survived by his son Guy Fehn and four grandchildren.[12]
| Awards | ||
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| Preceded by | Recipient of theNorsk kulturråds ærespris 1998 | Succeeded by |
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