Architecture

Danish heroes

Jørn Utzon (1918-2008) was a Danish architect, most notable for designing the Sydney Opera House in Australia. The building was completed in 1973 and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2007. Utzon became only the second person to have received such recognition for one of his works during his lifetime. Other noteworthy works include the Bagsværd Church near Copenhagen and the National Assembly Building in Kuwait. He also made important contributions to housing design, especially with his Kingo Houses near Helsingør. Utzon's fascination with the architectural legacies of the ancient Mayas, the Islamic world, China and Japan enhanced his vision. This developed into what Utzon later referred to as Addictive Architecture, comparing his approach to the growth patterns of nature.