He was born in Bergen, the son of the artist Solomon van Haven who had already succeeded in winning the favour of the Danish-Norwegian monarchy.

[1] Starting in 1653, he spent some 16 years travelling in Italy, France and the Netherlands where he studied Baroque painting and architecture.

[2] Under Christian V, he was appointed Denmark-Norway's first official General Building Master in 1671 with overall responsibility for executing the king's architectural wishes.

Van Haven is remembered above all for his architecture, especially for the enormous Church of Our Saviour, Copenhagen built in the Dutch Baroque style in the form of a Greek cross with Tuscan pilasters rising to the top of the facade.

Inspired by the Italian and French Baroque style, especially Bernini's, he designed the interiors of Frederiksborg Palace which had been damaged by fire.