Name Sven Risom | ||
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Sven Julius Risom (Copenhagen, November 3, 1880 — Hillerod, March 24, 1971) was a Danish architect who worked mainly in the style of Nordic Classicism.
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Biography
Sven Risom was born in Copenhagen on November 3, 1880, the son of Johan Maria Risom (d. 1915) and Thalia Rothe (d. 1918). His father was a doctor at the Royal Danish Theatre. Risom began his studies in Birkerod in 1899, becoming a journeyman carpenter in 1902. After time at the Technical University of Denmark (during which he studied under Gustav Vermehren and Emil Blichfeldt), he later attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, graduating with a degree in architecture in 1909.
In the meantime, Risom had been employed in a number of architectural projects. From 1905 to 1906, he was employed by Hermann Baagoe Storck as co-supervisor (along with Andreas Clemmensen and Ulrik Plesner) of the restoration of St. Bendt's Church in Ringsted. Risom then worked for the Association of December 3, 1892, a group dedicated to historic preservation, leading a 1906 survey of older Danish architecture. In 1907, he worked with Hother A. Paludan as co-supervisor of surveying and repair of old granite churches in Jutland. Risom opened his own architectural office in 1908.
Risom spent 1911-1913 at the French School at Athens, during which time he participated in the excavation of ancient Greek artifacts. He spent 1914 touring Greece, Norway, and Sweden. He would later tour France in 1920.
On March 31, 1915, Risom married Inger Henriques (Copenhagen, March 29, 1888 — Hillerod, August 29, 1978), daughter of the writer Axel Henriques and Adelheid Fred Meyer. One of their sons, Jens Risom (b. Copenhagen, May 8, 1916), would later emigrate to the United States and become a renowned furniture designer.
Upon his return to Denmark, Risom assisted Thorvald Jorgensen in renovating the Royal Reception Rooms at the Christiansborg Palace from 1915 to 1916.
In addition to his work as a practicing architect, Risom served as an external examiner of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1917; was a member of the board of the Architects' Association of Denmark 1920-21; and from 1933, oversaw the inventories of items at the inhabited residences of the Danish monarch, for which service, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog.
Risom died in Hillerod on March 24, 1971. He is buried in Holmens Cemetery.