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?

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