Sigurd Lewerentz, Architect

Sigurd Lewerentz (1885–1975) initially educated as mechanical engineer at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, he later did an architectural apprenticeship in Munich, Germany, with Theodor Fischer (1909) and with Richard Riemerschmid (1909–10). He first opened his own office in Stockholm in 1911. Although his build work is relatively small, he is revered as one of Sweden’s most eminent architects.

One of Lewerentz’s first major work, done is association with Gunnar Asplund, was the Stockholm South (Woodland) Cemetery (1914–17), their proposal winning in an international competition. Cemeteries and sacred buildings became a core part of Lewerentz’s oeuvre, including the Malmö Eastern Cemetery (1916, with later additions), St. Mark’s Church in Björkhagen (1956) and the Petri Church in Klippan (1963). Also in association with Asplund, he was the main architect for the Stockholm International Exhibition (1930) and in collaboration with Erik Lallerstedt and David Helldén he created what is regarded of one of the masterpieces of functionalist architecture, the Malmö City Theatre (1935). In his later years he mainly worked on competition proposals, many of them unrewarded, and furniture designs.

This book is a reprint of the first ever monograph on Lewerentz. Originally published in Swedish (1985) and English (1987), it tells the story of his life and presents his entire work in text and many photographs, drawings and plans. The new edition is rounded out by a new essay on Lewrentz and his significance by the German-Chinese architect, critic, and professor Wilfried Wang.