[1] After an apprenticeship as a carpenter, Amberg studied at the Royal Danish Academy's architecture school (1856–1865) while receiving instruction from Michael Gottlieb Bindesbøll, Christian Hansen and Ferdinand Meldahl.

In 1874, he won the Academy's gold medal and spent the following two years travelling, mainly to Greece and Turkey.

Amberg's design was used in the replacement building in Højbro Plads after St Nicholas Church was destroyed in the fire of 1795.

[2] Amberg's approach, like that of his contemporaries, was influenced by the Historicist requirement to adopt one or more historical styles in every assignment.

[3] He also restored St Nicolas Church and, under the sponsorship of Carl Jacobsen, redesigned its spire (1908–1910); in collaboration with Carl Brummer, he designed a spire for the Church of Our Lady in Copenhagen.