Korsmo, Arne

Korsmo, Arne (1900–68). Norwegian architect, one of the first to build in the International Modern style in that country. In partnership with Sverre Aasland (1899–1992) from 1929, he designed the Frøen housing development (1929–30), the apartment-block at Pavels Gate 6, Oslo (1930), the Havna development, Oslo (which included the Villa Dammann of 1930–2), and that building-type so beloved of Modernists, the grain-silo at Kristiansand (1933–6). Both the Dammann and Hansen (1935) houses, Oslo, were influenced by the works of Dudok and Mendelsohn. From 1935 Korsmo worked independently, producing the Benjamin (1935) and Heyerdahl (1935–6) houses, both in Oslo, and designing the Norwegian Pavilion for the Paris Exposition of 1937, by which time the influence of Le Corbusier on his work was clear, notably in the Villa Stenersen, Oslo, of 1937–9, where pilotis were employed. At the invitation of Giedion he formed PAGON (Progressive Architects Group of Norway), the Norwegian branch of CIAM, in 1950, which he led until 1956: other members included Christian Norberg-Schulz, Sverre Fehn, and Geir Grung (1926–89), while Utzon was associated with them as a ‘guest’ member. With Norberg-Schulz he designed the Alfredheim Home for Young Girls, Tåsen (1951–2), and the Terrace Houses, Planetveien (1952–5), both in Oslo. In collaboration with Terje Moe (1933– ) he designed the Hotel Britannia, Trondheim (1961–3). He had considerable influence on architectural education after the 1939–45 war.

Bibliography

Boe (2001);
Kalman (1980)
Norberg-Schulz (1986b & c)