Jørn Utzon (1918

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Biography

Jørn Oberg Utzon was a Danish architect. In 1957, he won an international design competition for his design of the Sydney Opera House in Australia. Utzon's revised design, which he completed in 1961, was the basis for the landmark, although it was not completed until 1973.

Timeline

The story of Jørn Utzon, told in moments.

1957 Event

Won the international competition to design the Sydney Opera House. His entry was pulled from the rejection pile by Eero Saarinen, who arrived late to the judging. 233 entries. Utzon's was number 218.

How did it feel to be pulled from the rejection pile by Eero Saarinen? Was entry number 218 out of 233 almost giving up? Did winning the Sydney Opera House competition change you instantly?

1966 Life

Resigned from the Opera House project after the new government slashed his fees and gave control to other architects. Left Australia. Never returned to see the finished building.

Was resigning from the project the hardest decision of your life? What does it feel like to never see your building finished? Did leaving Australia feel like exile or principle?

1973 Event

Queen Elizabeth II opened the Sydney Opera House after 16 years of construction. It cost $102 million, fourteen times over budget. Utzon wasn't invited. His name didn't appear in the program.

How did it feel watching the Queen open a building you weren't invited to? Was your name missing from the program an insult or irrelevant? Does 14 times over budget reflect ambition or failure?

Artifacts (13)

Utzon's Own Houses

This book includes descriptions of the homes - past and present - that Utzon designed and lived in himself: the house in Hellebæk, built in 1951, the Bay View villa in Australia, and his magnificent...

2004

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The Courtyard Houses

By looking at how people lived, I quickly discovered that all the small gardens were filled with tool sheds and hobby sheds, and old cars stood there and pleasure craft etc. And so I designed a town...

2004

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Jørn Utzon Logbook

For Utzon, as for any other architect, his own house claims a special status. This is where the architect has time to explore, to carry out experiments on a one-to-one basis, make mistakes - and...

2004

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Jørn Utzon: The Architect's Universe

"This catalogue features the observations of architects and architectural writers from Denmark and abroad who on the basis of Utzon's best known buildings and methods underscore how Utzon's view of...

2008

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Kuwait National Assembly

'Aware of the architect's declining influence on architecture Jorn Utzon felt that his "Logbook" series would be of value to people interested in the architect's role and its importance in society....

2008

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Sydney Opera House: Sydney, Australia, 1957-73

1980

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Jørn Utzon: Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia : 1957-73

1980

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Bausuveā No Kyōkai 1937-76

1981

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Bagsværd

2005

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New Opera Theatre: Sydney Opera House

2005

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Glæden ved at bo: Jørn Utzon og Romerhusene i Helsingør

2010

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Jørn Utzon: arkitekturens tilblivelse og virke

2011

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Utzon Mallorca. Jørn Utzon og det oprindelige. To huse på en middelhavsø. Særtryk af Arkitektur DK 2 1996

1996

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