ABC News reports that the architect of the Sydney Opera House died of a heart attack in his sleep at age 90.
Whatever else he did in his long career – as usual, the Wikipedia has more – it’s almost impossible to imagine Sydney without that building. Indeed, it’s almost impossible to imagine an Australia without it. It’s driven Melburnians mad for decades trying to find a similarly iconic building (a quest that has been thankfully abandoned).
Hopefully, the process of renovating the Opera House, which was proceeding with the cooperation of Utzon and his son, will result in a building whose interior – and acoustics – match its astonishing exterior. As a further memorial, perhaps state governments (and this seems to apply particularly to the NSW state government) can find a way to encourage better architecture, not just for icon buildings but across the board. Utzon, whose career also included work on low-cost housing in Denmark, would surely approve.
It is a shame that he was treated so shabbily by our own NSW Govt.We really didn’t deserve the honour.Perhaps now, we can rise above our hedonestic,perverted,indulgences and appreciate Jorn’s ability and good intentions.
I think it looks like ceramic gunyahs. Would old Benelong have approved?
As for his treatment, the Askin government was so corrupt any outsider wouldn’t stand a chance. But some things never change in NSW.
Apologies to Jorn and his family for the poor way Australia treated him. We are lucky that harbour is graced by one of the finest buildings of the 20th century. Vale Jorn.
Thank goodness for visionaries like Utzon. The SOH is a stirring sight no matter how many times I see it.
“perhaps state governments (and this seems to apply particularly to the NSW state government) can find a way to encourage better architecture, not just for icon buildings but across the board.”
I’ve heard it claimed (by an architect) that relaxing planning controls would help. Currently, houses have to fit into streetscapes, materials and colours and styles are restricted, etc. She argued that allowing more difference and creativity would unfortunately produce more ugly buildings, but also more beautiful buildings, and at least bland mediocrity wouldn’t be so prevalent.
The Sydney Opera House is a magnificent building that fits its location and the aesthetics of the time in which it was built. Its a magnificent memorial to its architect. It was good that Sydney and Jorn Utzon had reconciled before his passing. I hope Utzon’s son continues working on the building’s renovation.
Can I register a small protest about the use of the euphemism “passes” in a headline to mean that someone died.
I don’t find the Opera House particularly attractive, inside or out, but I’m glad it’s there.
Geez suz you’re hard to please. What building in Australia or overseas built in the last 50 years meets your definition of attractive, I wonder?
One of the finest buildings of the 20th century, for mine.
If the Sydney Opera House had been built in Queensland it would be called the “Big Sails” and rightly put in the same category as the Big Pineapple etc.
Adrian, I’ve seen many attractive modern buildings, on large and small scales. The Pompidou Centre and the Gherkin in London are just two that come to mind. To my eyes the Opera House is not quite right. Maybe Utzon’s original design would have appealed to me more.
suz, Pompidou is lovely if you adore plumbing. I think Utzons Opera House has an excellent location, clean lines, wonderful surface, attractive shapes; good in many different sunlight conditions.
Just one drawback: a very large, industrial structure nearby. What is it? Has a curved motif with strong horizontal and vertical elements. To be simplistic, it’s reminiscent of a coathanger, the old, curved wooden type. Anyone know what it is? Any Sydney folk reading this? Can it be dismantled??