Thorvald Astrup
Encyclopedia
Thorvald Astrup was a Norwegian
architect, particularly known for industrial architecture.
Born in Oslo (Christiania), he was educated at Christiania Technical School in 1891-92, and Christiania Fine Art School the following year; he also attended Technische Hochschule Charlottenburg from 1896-97. In 1899 he started to work as an architect, and was soon specializing in industrial constructions, particularly related to power production and transmission, factories and dam
s; many monumental installations were built in neoclassic
or functionalistic
style. These include Såheim Power Station in Rjukan
(1916), Tyssedal Power Station (1906), while the administration building for Norsk Hydro
in Rjukan is built in jugendstil. Astrup also designed all the railway stations on Tinnosbanen
and Rjukanbanen
.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
architect, particularly known for industrial architecture.
Born in Oslo (Christiania), he was educated at Christiania Technical School in 1891-92, and Christiania Fine Art School the following year; he also attended Technische Hochschule Charlottenburg from 1896-97. In 1899 he started to work as an architect, and was soon specializing in industrial constructions, particularly related to power production and transmission, factories and dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s; many monumental installations were built in neoclassic
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
or functionalistic
Functionalism (architecture)
Functionalism, in architecture, is the principle that architects should design a building based on the purpose of that building. This statement is less self-evident than it first appears, and is a matter of confusion and controversy within the profession, particularly in regard to modern...
style. These include Såheim Power Station in Rjukan
Rjukan
Rjukan is a town and the administrative center of Tinn municipality in Telemark . It is situated in Vestfjorddalen, between Møsvatn and Tinnsjå, and got its name after Rjukanfossen west of the town. The Tinn municipality council granted township status for Rjukan in 1996. The town has 3 386...
(1916), Tyssedal Power Station (1906), while the administration building for Norsk Hydro
Norsk Hydro
Norsk Hydro ASA is a Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, headquartered in Oslo. Hydro is the fourth largest integrated aluminium company worldwide. It has operations in some 40 countries around the world and is active on all continents. The Norwegian state holds a 43.8 percent...
in Rjukan is built in jugendstil. Astrup also designed all the railway stations on Tinnosbanen
Tinnosbanen
The Tinnos Line was a 30 km Norwegian railway line that went from Tinnoset to Notodden in Telemark. The railway was part of the transport chain used to transport fertilizer from Norsk Hydro's factory in Rjukan to the harbour in Skien. The railway opened in 1909 and was closed when the plant closed...
and Rjukanbanen
Rjukanbanen
The Rjukan Line , at first called the Vestfjorddal Line, was a Norwegian railway line running through Vestfjorddalen between Mæl and Rjukan in Telemark. The railway's main purpose was to transport chemicals from Norsk Hydro's plant at Rjukan to the port at Skien, in addition to passenger transport...
.