Jørn Utzon’s extensive interest in the ancient architecture of the world and own unique approach to design has been informed by the experience of boatbuilding in his youth in Aalborg. His father, Aage Utzon, was an engineer at the shipyards in Aalborg and a naval architect with an international reputation for designing yachts renowned for their speed and distinctive curvature of their stern forms, known as Spidsgatter.

It was Jørn Utzon’s early experience of working with his father on the design of sailing boats and seeing the huge hulls of ships under construction in dry-dock, that was later to give him the formal language and also self-confidence to realise the huge boat-like roof-shells of the Sydney Opera House.

The unique genius of Utzon is becoming increasingly appreciated, not least in recognition of his design of the most daring and now iconic monument of the twentieth century, the Sydney Opera House, but also in respect of his wide range of significant works of architecture.

Aalborg's new image

With the increasing international appreciation and interest in Utzon’s work, it is appropriate that the Utzon Center should be built on the harbourfront of his hometown of Aalborg, in the maritime environment that inspired his early development. Since it is Utzon’s expressed wish that the Utzon Center is not a museum, but an active and dynamic public venue for the display, development and discussion of architecture, design and art, it is most appropriate that the Utzon Center is established in conjunction with the Institute for Architecture and Design.

In keeping with Utzon’s humane approach to architecture the Utzon Center is not designed as one monumental building, but as a series of pavilions built around a sheltered courtyard, so that is possible to sit outside near the harbourfront protected from the winds that, as Utzon remembers from his childhood, blow in off the water.

The Utzon Center will not only give people a place to be on the Aalborg harbourfront, but will like Utzon’s building in Sydney come to define the identity of the city and together with the art museum of the other great Nordic master architect Aalto, will put Aalborg firmly on the international architectural map.

More information:

www.utzoncenter.org