Danish architect Jorn Utzon will always be remembered for his visionary Sydney Opera House, but the shell-shaped landmark was just one part of a long career. Join us for a photo tour of Jorn Utzon's great works, including the Sydney Opera, Bagsvard Church, the Kuwait National Assembly, and innovative experiments in housing design.
1. The Sydney Opera House
Press photo © 2000-2006 NewOpenWorld Foundation
Sydney, Australia
1957-1973
The Sydney Opera House broke all the rules when it won an international competition in 1957. Today, this Modern Expressionist building is one of the most famous and most photographed structures of the modern era.
1957-1973
The Sydney Opera House broke all the rules when it won an international competition in 1957. Today, this Modern Expressionist building is one of the most famous and most photographed structures of the modern era.
2. Bagsvard Church
Bagsvard Church. Photo by Bent Ryberg/Planet Foto, courtesy Pritzker Committee
Denmark
1973-76
Jorn Utzon was inspired by the passage of clouds when he designed this serene church.
1973-76
Jorn Utzon was inspired by the passage of clouds when he designed this serene church.
3. Can Feliz, The Utzon House
Majorca House Photo by Bent Ryberg/Planet Foto, courtesy Pritzker Committee
Majorca, Spain
1994
Nestled on the side of a mountain on the island of Majorca, Can Feliz became a retirement retreat for Jorn Utzon and his family.
1994
Nestled on the side of a mountain on the island of Majorca, Can Feliz became a retirement retreat for Jorn Utzon and his family.
4. Kuwait National Assembly
Kuwait National Assembly Photo by Hans Munk Hansen, courtesy Pritzker Committee
Kuwait
1972-82
Jorn Utzon had an affinity for Islamic architecture when he was invited to design the National Assembly building for Kuwait.
1972-82
Jorn Utzon had an affinity for Islamic architecture when he was invited to design the National Assembly building for Kuwait.
5. Kingo Housing Project
Kingo Housing Project Photo by Richard Weston, courtesy Prizker Prize Committee
Helsingor, Denmark
1956-58
Jorn Utzon said that arrangement of the houses in this low-income housing project resembled "flowers on the branch of cherry tree, each turning toward the sun."
1956-58
Jorn Utzon said that arrangement of the houses in this low-income housing project resembled "flowers on the branch of cherry tree, each turning toward the sun."
6. Fredensborg Housing
Fredensborg Housing Photo by Bent Ryberg/Planet Foto, courtesy Pritzker Committee
Fredensborg, North Zealand, Denmark
1959-62
Jorn Utzon designed the Fredensborg housing development with 47 courtyards and 30 terraced houses.
1959-62
Jorn Utzon designed the Fredensborg housing development with 47 courtyards and 30 terraced houses.
7. Paustian Showroom
Paustian Showroom Photo by Bent Ryberg/Planet Foto, courtesy Pritzker Committee
Copenhagen, Denmark
1985-87
Jorn Utzon designed this waterfront showroom for a furniture store with his two sons.
1985-87
Jorn Utzon designed this waterfront showroom for a furniture store with his two sons.
8. The Silkeborg Museum of Fine Arts
Silkeborg Museum Design by Jorn Utzon, courtesy the Pritzker Committee
Unfinished project
After commissioned to build an addition to the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark, Jorn Utzon drafted these plans.
After commissioned to build an addition to the Silkeborg Museum in Denmark, Jorn Utzon drafted these plans.
