The main terminal building at Fornebu Airport, completed in 1963, stands as a primary example of the architectural career of Odd Nansen. Beyond his technical practice in Oslo, he dedicated his life to humanitarian advocacy, notably co-founding UNICEF and operating Nansenhjelpen, an organization established in 1936 to assist Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in central Europe.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1901 in Bærum Municipality, Norway, Nansen was the son of the scientist and explorer Fridtjof Nansen. Following the death of his mother, Eva Nansen, in 1907, he moved into the home of neighbor Anton Klaveness. He enrolled at the Norwegian Institute of Technology in Trondheim in 1920 to study architecture. His early professional years included a three-year tenure in New York City beginning in 1927, followed by a return to Oslo in 1930 to apprentice under Arnstein Arneberg.
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Nansen founded Nansenhjelpen in 1936 to aid those threatened by Nazi policies. His efforts focused heavily on Czechoslovakia, where he worked with his wife, Kari Nansen, and Tove Filseth to establish a field office in Prague. By 1939, he oversaw the creation of the Jewish Children's Home in Oslo. These initiatives aimed to provide sanctuary and public attention for refugees facing imminent danger.
Imprisonment and Testimony
Following the German occupation of Norway, Nansen became involved with the Norwegian resistance. Due to his opposition to the Vidkun Quisling government, he was arrested by the Gestapo and deported to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. During his detention, he was also forced to labor at the Veidal Prison Camp. Nansen secretly maintained a diary, which provided detailed documentation of his experiences, including witness accounts of the treatment of prisoners and the survival of Thomas Buergenthal. His journals were published as From Day to Day in 1949.
Post-War Career and Recognition
After surviving the war, Nansen resumed his architectural work and continued his humanitarian service. He served as president of One World between 1947 and 1956. His architectural contributions included restoring his family home, Polhøgda. He received several honors, including the Knight of the Order of St. Olav in 1960 and the Commander of the Order of St. Olav in 1970. He was also awarded the Great Cross with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany before his death in 1973 in Oslo.
Fast facts
- Born: 1901, Bærum Municipality, Norway
- Died: 1973, Oslo, Norway
- Education: Norwegian Institute of Technology
- Humanitarian focus: Co-founder of UNICEF
- Key architectural project: Fornebu Airport terminal (1963)
- Published work: From Day to Day (1949)
- Order of St. Olav: Knight (1960), Commander (1970)
Questions readers ask
What was Nansenhjelpen?
It was a humanitarian organization founded by Nansen in 1936 to provide relief to Jewish refugees escaping Nazi persecution.
What did Nansen write during the war?
He kept a secret diary while detained in Sachsenhausen and Veidal Prison Camp, which was later published as an eyewitness account titled From Day to Day.
Achievements
- Great Cross with Star and Sash of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Knight of the Order of St. Olav
- Commander of the Order of St. Olav
- Trained at Norwegian Institute of Technology
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