Stephensen, 1903-1984, attended the Royal Academy of Architecture in Copenhagen from 1924-30. Upon leaving the school he was awarded a travel scholarship which took him to Japan. The time spent in Japan influenced his style which is characterized by simplicity and a personal variation of functionalism.
During WW2 and the decades after Stephensen was the architect on the construction of many apartment buildings and small modest houses in several areas of Copenhagen.
Besides buildings he created several chairs for Fritz Hansen, a number of cutlery lines for Georg Jensen and china patterns for The Royal Porcelain factory (now Royal Copenhagen). These works brought him large international recognition especially from the design shows in Milan.