A century has passed since the birth of Jørn Utzon (1918-2008), the Danish visionary who was only 38 years old when he won the competition to build the Sydney Opera House. AV/Arquitectura Viva marks the occasion by covering his legacy in a monograph that presents six canonical works, illustrated with original photographs and plans, alongside six articles by prominent international critics.
To begin, Richard Weston, author of the most comprehensive book on Utzon’s work, reflects on the sources of inspiration behind his creative process. Marja-Riitta Norri, director of the Museum of Finnish Architecture from 1988 to 2002, provides a Nordic perspective on his courtyard houses. In a letter format, Françoise Fromonot recalls the research conducted for her monograph on the Sydney Opera House, published in 1998.
Unbuilt projects are covered in an essay by Enrique Sobejano, an expert on the Danish architect's work. Kenneth Frampton—author of the essay that accompanied the announcement of Utzon’s Pritzker Prize in 2003—focuses on the Bagsværd Church, highlighting its tectonic character. Finally, Rafael Moneo, who worked with Utzon in 1961, writes about the two Mallorcan houses.
