Olav Selvaag

Olav Selvaag (17 December 1912 – 14 January 2002) was a Norwegian engineer and residential contractor, known for his innovative approach to designing and building affordable housing during the later half of the twentieth century. He was largely responsible for the post–World War II development of the neighborhoods Veitvet and Vestli at Groruddalen and Rykkinn at Bærum in Oslo, Norway.

Biography Jens Olav Walaas Selvaag grew up in Lista Municipality in Vest-Agder county, Norway. He came from a home with socially-committed parents. His father, Ole Walaas Selvaag (1870–1930), was a medical doctor who rose to prominence as a public health official at the district and county level; and was also a member of parliament for the Liberal Party. Olav's mother was Kathrine Amalie née Samuelsen (1884–1970), a home economics teacher.

As a result of his father's political and professional prominence, the young Selvaag was early acquainted with politicians and statesmen of his time. After having earned his examen artium, he enrolled at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (then known as the Norwegian Institute of Technology), where he was in the first class that learned structural engineering with reinforced concrete.

During the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany during World War II, Selvaag and Ringnes were among the very few firms of their time to immediately take a principled stand against performing any construction project for the occupying powers. Both were active in the resistance. Ringnes had to go undercover toward the end of the war, and Selvaag managed weapons stores for Milorg.

The Ekeberg House was met with skepticism, many thinking it was not durable. Skeptics also thought that the savings in time and material were only possible for a single house, but could not be replicated for larger projects. social policy that emphasized public works projects, and the architectural establishment.

His approach and outspokenness made him one of the most controversial figures in post-war Norway. Although non-partisan in his outlook, he commented on a wide range of political issues, including taxation, transportation, and telecommunications. He was asked to serve as minister of industry in the short-lived John Lyng cabinet, but turned the invitation down, citing his wish to remain independent. Brynjulf Bull, the former mayor of Oslo, commented in 1975 that his greatest regret was that the Labour Party had treated Selvaag shabbily.

Legacy Selvaag's contribution to the housing scarcity in Norway following World War II, and subsequent years, created entire urban neighborhoods, especially in the Greater Oslo Region. His persistent philosophy was that society owed it to itself to use all its available resources to benefit as many of its citizens as possible, and especially those who were disadvantaged. He was an active proponent of building functional and affordable housing, hospitals, and support for the elderly. and the Order of St. Olav (Knight, later Commander). Selvaagparken is a park on Bryne just off the center of Vanse in Farsund Municipality. Olav Selvaags plass is located as Tjuvholmen in Oslo. Selvaagprisen is awarded by the Selvaag Group.