Jørn Utzon

Jørn Utzon (9 April 1918 - 29 November 2008) was a Danish architect, born in Copenhagen, best known for designing the Sydney Opera House. His work is notable for expressive roofs, often inspired by natural forms such as clouds, sails and waves.

Sydney Opera House

In 1957 Utzon won the international competition for the Sydney Opera House against 233 other entries. UNESCO describes the design as a radically new approach to construction, and its roof proved extremely hard to define and build. Working with engineers Ove Arup & Partners, the team eventually adopted the "spherical solution", in which all the shells are cut from a single sphere, allowing them to be built from repeated precast concrete ribs and panels.

Disputes with the New South Wales government led Utzon to resign in 1966. He left Australia on 28 February that year and never returned, so he never saw the completed building, which opened in 1973.

Other roof-focused works

• Bagsværd Church, near Copenhagen (completed 1976), has a concrete ceiling of softly rounded vaults inspired by clouds.
• Kuwait National Assembly Building (completed 1982) has a waving roof that gives the impression of moving fabric.

Recognition

Utzon received the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2003.

Influence

The Sydney roofs are a frequently cited example of a roof form becoming the main expression of a building, and of collaboration between architect and engineer in solving an unprecedented geometry.

Death

Utzon died on 29 November 2008 in Denmark. Sources differ on the place: some give Helsingør and others Copenhagen.