The architect August Nielsen was born in Helgeland and trained in 1893 to 1897 at the technical college in Trondheim (the forerunner of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology). He had many commissions which he did either on his own or in collaboration with others. Among his projects in Northern Norway are the Salten district judge's residence in Bodø (1919-1922), the bishop's residence in Tromsø (1924) and the church in Svolvær (1934). August Nielsen's designs were solid and influenced by his Norwegian heritage and the contemporary classist ideals. The carved decorations between windows have their roots in Norwegian and European baroque.