Adolf Schirmer
Encyclopedia
Adolf Schirmer was a Norwegian architect.
Adolf Schirmer was born in Bærum
, the son of architect Heinrich Ernst Schirmer
and Sophie Ottilia Major (1821–1861). He was married on 6 November 1878 to Hildur Koch (1856–1914). His initial training was with his father's practice and at Den kongelige Tegne- og Kunstskole i Christiania, now the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry
under sculptor, Julius Middelthun
(1820-1886). He stayed a short period in Germany in 1870, before being employed by Georg Andreas Bull
in Christiania
from 1871 to 1872. He then took lessons at the Bauakademie
in Berlin
and École des Beaux-Arts
in Paris
, graduating in 1874.
Schirmer ran his own company in Christiania until 1886. In 1887, he was appointed the state's building inspector
with responsibility for the state-owned properties. He has designed several public buildings, however for most major projects he was responsible for regulation and planning. Among Schirmer's most known work is the New Renaissance central section of the National Gallery, which was started by his father, but taken over by Adolf after his father had a disagreement with the owner. Other prominent works include Trondhjems Sparebank (1882), today the head office of Sparebanken Midt-Norge
, Privatbanken i Trondhjem (1883), parts of Ullevål University Hospital
(1886) and the Customs House (Tollboden) in Oslo (1896). One of his first know works was a stabbur built at Frognerseteren
outside Oslo, and an early example of national romanticism.
Schirmer was also a judge in several architectural competitions and an active member of the Norwegian Engineer and Architect Association. He was appointed a Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1896 and a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog
in 1898.
Adolf Schirmer was born in Bærum
Bærum
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Sandvika. Bærum was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. A suburb of Oslo, Bærum is located on the west coast of the city....
, the son of architect Heinrich Ernst Schirmer
Heinrich Ernst Schirmer
Heinrich Ernst Schirmer was German-born architect most noted for his work in Norway.Schirmer worked in Norway from 1838 to 1883 and put his mark on a number of public buildings...
and Sophie Ottilia Major (1821–1861). He was married on 6 November 1878 to Hildur Koch (1856–1914). His initial training was with his father's practice and at Den kongelige Tegne- og Kunstskole i Christiania, now 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:*...
under sculptor, Julius Middelthun
Julius Middelthun
Julius Middelthun was a Norwegian sculptor born in Kongsberg, son of a coin engraver. As a young man he trained as a goldsmith before moving to Copenhagen to study with Bissen. His ten years there were followed by eight years in Rome, after which time he returned to Norway...
(1820-1886). He stayed a short period in Germany in 1870, before being employed by Georg Andreas Bull
Georg Andreas Bull
Georg Andreas Bull was a Norwegian architect and chief building inspector in Christiania for forty years. He was among the leading architects in the country, and left his mark on Norwegian building history both as a creative architect, and through his measurement studies and archeological...
in Christiania
Oslo
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...
from 1871 to 1872. He then took lessons at the Bauakademie
Bauakademie
The Bauakademie in Berlin, Germany, built between 1832 and 1836, is considered one of the forerunners of modern architecture due to its theretofore uncommon use of red brick and the relatively streamlined facade of the building.Designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, the Bauakademie was built near...
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, graduating in 1874.
Schirmer ran his own company in Christiania until 1886. In 1887, he was appointed the state's building inspector
Statsbygg
Statsbygg is a Norwegian government agency that manages central parts of the real estate portfolio of the Government of Norway. This includes 2.3 million square meters in 1,500 buildings, of which 115 are located abroad. The portfolio includes office buildings, heritage sites, campuses, operational...
with responsibility for the state-owned properties. He has designed several public buildings, however for most major projects he was responsible for regulation and planning. Among Schirmer's most known work is the New Renaissance central section of the National Gallery, which was started by his father, but taken over by Adolf after his father had a disagreement with the owner. Other prominent works include Trondhjems Sparebank (1882), today the head office of Sparebanken Midt-Norge
Sparebanken Midt-Norge
Sparebanken Midt-Norge is a Norwegian savings bank based in Trøndelag.Sparebanken Midt-Norge has 71 branches in 51 municipalities in Central Norway and is part of the bank alliance SpareBank 1. In Nord-Trøndelag and Sør-Trøndelag the bank is branded SpareBank 1 Midt-Noge while it is branded...
, Privatbanken i Trondhjem (1883), parts of Ullevål University Hospital
Ullevål University Hospital
Ullevaal, Oslo University Hospital was opened in 1887. From January 1, 2009, the hospital is part of the Oslo University Hospital.Ullevål has more than 8,600 employees. 940 of them are doctors and 2,400 nurses. With a total of 1,200 beds Ullevål, admits some 45,000 patients per year and its...
(1886) and the Customs House (Tollboden) in Oslo (1896). One of his first know works was a stabbur built at Frognerseteren
Frognerseteren
Frognerseteren is a neighborhood of Oslo, Norway, located within Nordmarka. It is a popular starting point for recreational hiking and skiing in Oslo. Frognerseteren Station is the terminal station of the Holmenkollen Line of the Oslo Metro....
outside Oslo, and an early example of national romanticism.
Schirmer was also a judge in several architectural competitions and an active member of the Norwegian Engineer and Architect Association. He was appointed a Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1896 and a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
in 1898.