Arne Korsmo
Encyclopedia
Arne Korsmo was a leading architect in Norway and a propagator of the international architectural style
.
and took his final exams during 1920. He earned a diploma from the architectural line of the Norwegian Institute of Technology
in 1926. He practiced with some of Oslo's leading architects including Arnstein Arneberg
and Magnus Poulsson
. From 1926-27, Korsmo worked at Bryn and Ellefsen's architectural office, where he first came into contact with modernism. In 1928, Korsmo started his own practice with architect, Sverre Aasland (1899 - 1989). Korsmo drew plans for 50 villas, several of which are regarded as masterpieces of Norwegian functionalism. Several of his villas were designed and built in the years while he was in partnership with Sverre Aasland.
From 1935, Korsmo lectured at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry
in Oslo and was professor at the Norwegian Institute of Technology
. At the same time he worked as an architect and designer, often with his second wife, designer Grete Prytz Kittelsen
. Among his central mission was Norway's pavilion at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937)
and arranging Norway's participation in Milan X Triennale, (1954).
In 1950, Korsmo was asked by Swiss art historian, Siegfried Giedion to lead the Norwegian group of Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne
. The group, which was named PAGON (Progressive Architects Group Oslo, Norway), had the goal of implementing and promoting modern architecture.
Arne Korsmo received the Sundt Prize (Sundts premie) (1933) and Houen Foundation award (Houens Fonds Diplom) (1937 with Sverre Aasland) and (1939) for the Havna Housing Development. In 1939, he was knighted with the French Legion of Honor. At the Triennale in Milan, he won the (1954) Grand Prix and a gold medal and (1957) silver medal. He was honored with a memorial exhibition at the Henie-Onstad Art Centre
(1972).
International style (architecture)
The International style is a major architectural style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, the formative decades of Modern architecture. The term originated from the name of a book by Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson, The International Style...
.
Biography
Arne Korsmo grew up in OsloOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
and took his final exams during 1920. He earned a diploma from the architectural line of the Norwegian Institute of Technology
Norwegian Institute of Technology
The Norwegian Institute of Technology, known by its Norwegian abbrevation NTH was a science institute in Trondheim, Norway. It was established in 1910, and existed as an independent technical university for 85 years, after which it was merged into the University of Trondheim as an independent...
in 1926. He practiced with some of Oslo's leading architects including Arnstein Arneberg
Arnstein Arneberg
Arnstein Rynning Arneberg was a Norwegian architect. He was active as an architect for 50 years and is often considered the leading architect in Norway of his time. -Background:...
and Magnus Poulsson
Magnus Poulsson
Magnus Poulsson was a Norwegian architect.-Biography:Magnus Poulsson was born in Drammen, Buskerud county, Norway. His parents were Søren Anton Poulsson and Ina Bolette Jørgensen...
. From 1926-27, Korsmo worked at Bryn and Ellefsen's architectural office, where he first came into contact with modernism. In 1928, Korsmo started his own practice with architect, Sverre Aasland (1899 - 1989). Korsmo drew plans for 50 villas, several of which are regarded as masterpieces of Norwegian functionalism. Several of his villas were designed and built in the years while he was in partnership with Sverre Aasland.
From 1935, Korsmo lectured at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry
Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry
The Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry was established in 1818.In 1996 the National Academy of Craft and Art Industry became part of Oslo National Academy of the Arts .-Noted alumni:-External links:*...
in Oslo and was professor at the Norwegian Institute of Technology
Norwegian Institute of Technology
The Norwegian Institute of Technology, known by its Norwegian abbrevation NTH was a science institute in Trondheim, Norway. It was established in 1910, and existed as an independent technical university for 85 years, after which it was merged into the University of Trondheim as an independent...
. At the same time he worked as an architect and designer, often with his second wife, designer Grete Prytz Kittelsen
Grete Prytz Kittelsen
Grete Prytz Kittelsen , was a Norwegian goldsmith, enamel artist, and designer...
. Among his central mission was Norway's pavilion at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937)
Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne (1937)
The Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne was held from May 25 to November 25, 1937 in Paris, France...
and arranging Norway's participation in Milan X Triennale, (1954).
In 1950, Korsmo was asked by Swiss art historian, Siegfried Giedion to lead the Norwegian group of Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne
Congrès International d'Architecture Moderne
The Congrès internationaux d'architecture moderne – CIAM was an organization founded in 1928 and disbanded in 1959, responsible for a series of events and congresses arranged around the world by the most prominent architects of the time, with the objective of spreading the principles of the Modern...
. The group, which was named PAGON (Progressive Architects Group Oslo, Norway), had the goal of implementing and promoting modern architecture.
Arne Korsmo received the Sundt Prize (Sundts premie) (1933) and Houen Foundation award (Houens Fonds Diplom) (1937 with Sverre Aasland) and (1939) for the Havna Housing Development. In 1939, he was knighted with the French Legion of Honor. At the Triennale in Milan, he won the (1954) Grand Prix and a gold medal and (1957) silver medal. He was honored with a memorial exhibition at the Henie-Onstad Art Centre
Henie-Onstad Art Centre
The Henie-Onstad Art Centre is an art museum located at Høvikodden in Bærum municipality, Norway.The Henie-Onstad Art Centre is situated on a headland jutting into the Oslofjord, approximately 10 km south of Oslo...
(1972).
Notable works
- (1930-32) Havna Allé 1-14 (with Sverre Aasland)
- (1934-35) Villa Riise (with Sverre Aasland)
- (1937-39) Villa Stenersen
- (1929–30) Lille Frøens vei (with Sverre Aasland)
- (1932) Villa Dammann (with Sverre Aasland)
- (1937) Norges paviljong, Paris (with Knut Knutsen and Ole Lind Schistad)
- (1938) Vi Kan-utstillingen (with Knut Knutsen and Andreas Nygaard)
- (1961–63) Britannia Hotel, Trondheim (with Terje MoeTerje Moe (architect)Terje Moe was a Norwegian architect.He was born in Oslo. He graduated from the Norwegian Institute of Technology in 1959, and worked as a teacher there from 1959 to 1966...
)
Other sources
- Norberg-Schulz, Christian The Functionalist Arne Korsmo (Universitetsforlaget. 1986) ISBN 82-00-07128-6
- Brænne, Jon, Bøe, Eirik T., Skjerven, Astrid, Arne Korsmo: arkitektur og design (Universitetsforlaget. 2004) ISBN 82-15-00209-9