Jorn Utzon

Architect

Birthday April 9, 1918

Birth Sign Aries

Birthplace Denmark

DEATH DATE Nov 29, 2008 (90)

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About

Designed the Sydney Opera House in Australia, which was named a World Heritage Site on June 28, 2007; he was also known for Bagsværd Church in Copenhagen, the Kingo Houses around Helsingør, and the National Assembly Building in Kuwait.

Before Fame

He began attending the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1937; he was a student of the famed Kay Fisker and Steen Eiler Rasmussen. He began working for Gunnar Asplund after he graduated in 1942, where he collaborated with Poul Henningsen and Arne Jacobsen.

Trivia

He was only the second person to have one of his buildings declared a World Heritage Site while he was still alive.

Family Life

His father was a naval architect who raised him in Aalborg, Denmark. He named his summer house in the fishing village of Portopetro Can Lis after his wife.

Associated With

He was inspired by the work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.