Winning the 1929 competition for the west front and central tower of Nidaros Cathedral defined the career of Helge Thiis. As a Norwegian architect born in 1897, he dedicated over four decades to the restoration of this site. His tenure as cathedral architect spanned from 1930 until his death in 1972, shaping the structure of a national monument.
Early Career and Training
Born in Trondheim, Helge Thiis moved to Kristiania in 1908 after his father, Jens Thiis, became the director of the National Art Museum. He completed his schooling in 1915 before attending the KTH School of Architecture in Stockholm, where he received his diploma in 1919. Early professional experience included working as an assistant to Arnstein Arneberg and Gunnar Asplund, as well as the firm of Andreas H. Bjercke and Georg Eliassen. Between 1924 and 1929, he also served as an art critic for the newspaper Nationen.
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The focus of his professional life was the Nidaros Cathedral Restoration Work. His successful 1929 competition entry involved the redesign of the main octagon tower, the helmet, and the completion of the West Front. This work featured numerous recesses designed for statues in the French Gothic style, turning the cathedral into a central project for Norwegian sculptors throughout the middle of the 20th century. Thiis maintained responsibility for the cathedral's structural development for forty-two years.
Residential Commissions and Recognition
Beyond his cathedral work, Thiis designed several private and institutional buildings. Notable projects include the 1930 residence for Professor Kristian Brandt in Oslo, the 1931 reconstruction of Rein Church for author Johan Bojer, and his own home, Rogne, built in Trondheim in 1935. He later designed the Bishop's residence in Trondheim in 1956 and a home for his daughter, sculptor Tone Thiis Schjetne, in 1961. In 1953, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of St. Olav.
Fast facts
- Born: 1897, Trondheim, Norway
- Died: 1972, Trondheim, Norway
- Education: KTH School of Architecture
- Key Role: Head architect, Nidaros Cathedral Restoration
- Award: Commander of the Order of St. Olav (1953)
- Spouse: Greta Swendborg
- Burial Site: Domkirkegården
- Secondary Occupation: Journalist
Questions readers ask
What major projects did Helge Thiis lead?
He was the head architect for the restoration of Nidaros Cathedral, focusing on the west front, central tower, and octagon tower.
Where is Helge Thiis buried?
He is buried at Domkirkegården.
Achievements
- Commander of the Order of St. Olav
- Trained at KTH School of Architecture
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