Olav Hammarstrom papers, 1939-1980
Hammarstrom, Olav,
b. 1906
Architect, Furniture designer
Wellfleet, Mass.
Collection size: 0.7 linear ft.
Collection Summary: Letters (1952-1958), printed material (1945-1959), photographs (1952-1980), scrapbook (1952), writings (1951-1954) and project files (1939-1965) documenting the architectural and design activities of Hammarstrom and his wife, Marianne Strengell.
One letter describes the Hammarstroms' backgrounds and their house (1952), and five letters concern the American Institute of Architects International Exhibit (1958). Printed material consists of clippings (1945-1959), an invitation to a lecture on the Kolosjoki Nickel community in the U.S.S.R. (1945), a sheet of stationery from S.A.C.O. (Scandinavian Architects Cooperated for International Architectural Assistance), and 2 press releases (undated and 1958). Photographs show Hammarstrom and wall hangings "Abstracts in Wood". A scrapbook (1952) contains original drawings and reproductions of rendering techniques, and designs for various projects. Writings include "Furniture Reports I and II" (1951-1952) and notes on furniture design (1953-1954).
Project files contain notes, drawings, photographs, clippings, and some contracts for projects including the General Motors Technical Center, Petsamon Nikkeli project (1939-1945), Kumo River Valley Assn. project (1947-1948), Philippines project (1949-1952), Chapel of St. James the Fisherman (1957), Hammarstrom residence, Ellis residence (1957), Angove residence (1957), Harsen's Island residences (1959-1960), missionary churches (1960), St. Anselm's Episcopal Church (1960), Oakland Museum (1961-1962), Robert Levy house (1963), Air Force Museum (1963), Nurme residence (1962-1965), Immanuel Lutheran Church (1965), Lily Swann Saarinen residence (undated), Bellapaise Villas in Cyprus (undated), and the Hotel Bernardin in Yugoslavia (1973).
Biographical/Historical Note: Architect, furniture designer; Wellfleet, Mass. Born in Finland and came to the United States to work with Alvar Aalto on the M.I.T. dormitory. After staying with Eero Saarinen, he developed projects of his own. He collaborated on many projects with his wife Marianne Strengell-Hammarstrom, textile designer and former head of the department of weaving and textile design at the Cranbrook Academy of Design.
Donated 1983 by Olav Hammarstrom.
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