Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Jørn Utzon
Jørn Utzon (b April 9, 1918) is a Danish architect.
He was born in Copenhagen as the son of a naval engineer, and grew up in Denmark. In 1957 he won the competition for a new opera house in Sydney, Australia. In the following years, Utzon gradually developed a way to construct the large shells that cover the two halls.
He also had spectacular plans for the interior of these halls, but due to political changes, the newly elected state government of New South Wales suddenly stopped the payments to Utzon and he left the country in 1966, never to return.
The Sydney Opera House was finally completed, and opened in 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II, and is one of the world's most recognizable buildings.
In March 2003, Utzon was awarded an honorary doctorate for his work on the opera house by the University of Sydney. Utzon's son accepted the award on his behalf as he himself was too ill to travel to Australia. Utzon has also been awarded the Order of Australia and the Keys to the City Of Sydney. He has also been involved in redesigning the opera house, and in particular, the reception hall, following an agreement made in 2000. Also, in 2003 he received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor.
Among other Jørn Utzon's projects are: Planetstaden housing project - Lund, Sweden (1958) - Kingohusene housing project - Elsinore (1960), The Kuwait Assembly Hall (1972), Can Lis - Mallorca (1972), Bagsværd Church - Copenhagen (1976), The Paustian Furniture Store - Copenhagen (1987), Can Feliz - Mallorca (1995).
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