Sigurd Lewerentz

Sigurd Lewerentz (1885–1975) is one of the most highly revered—and also one of the most heavily mythologized—protagonists of modern European architecture. Arguably Sweden’s most distinguished modernist, he is more influential to other architects internationally today than he was during his lifetime. Countless architecture lovers from around the world visit his still existent buildings. Stockholm’s woodland cemetery Skogskyrkogården, his most significant contribution to landscape design, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This authoritative new monograph on Sigurd Lewerentz is based on extensive research undertaken at ArkDes, Sweden’s national center for architecture and design, where his archive and personal library are kept. It features a wealth of drawings and sketches, designs for furniture and interiors, model photographs, etc. from his estate, most of which are published here for the first time, as well as new photographs of his realized buildings. Essays by leading experts explore Lewerentz’s life and work, his legacy, and lasting significance from a contemporary perspective.

This vast, beautifully designed book offers the most comprehensive survey to date of all of Lewerentz’s achievements in all fields of his manifold work.

Sigurd Lewerentz. Architect of Death and Life was awarded with both the jury prize and with the silver medal in the category “Editorial - Book - Print” of the Svenska Designpriset 2021.

Kieran Long has been director of Stockholm’s ArkDes since 2017. Prior to that he established the new Department of Design, Architecture and Digital at Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Johan Örn is curator of collections at ArkDes, Sweden’s national center for architecture and design in Stockholm, where he is in charge of Sigurd Lewerentz’s estate.