The story about The Sydney Opera House and it's creater is told in Aalborg, Denmark

The Utzon Centre, located in the heart of Aalborg, Denmark, was designed by the famous Danish architect Jørn Utzon. He was the architect who designed the Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia), after winning the international competetion about who was going to design the building. The Utzon Centre in Aalborg was the last building he designed. He worked on the project together with his son.The centre was completed shortly before he died in 2008.

This is a centre with something for the entire family to enjoy. It’s a place where you will get a sense of architecture. This was what Jørn Utzon wanted it to be – a place with focus on architecture. A place where students can meet to explore and create ideas. Even you are not a student or an architect, this place might inspire you to create something of your own. There are areas where the visitors can play with building materials. I actually only saw adults playing with the wooden cubes.

The architecture of the Utzon Centre

The design of the building has been said to look like tents of the Middle East. Utzon might have been inspired after spending lots of time in that area. It looks like it consists of several buildings when looking at I. It's first when you enter, you see the courtyard in the middle. Well protected against the wind. When inside I notised how much light there is. I startet in the largest room with the window facing north. Both this window and those in the ceiling, allows lots of light. This room is now holding the permanent exhibition about the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Opera House – an exhibition about a beautiful idea

Sydney Opera House is an architectural masterpiece. It has become an icon and one of the most photographed buildings in the world. A world Heritage Site. In October 2023 the Sydney Opera House celebrated its 50th anniversary. To celebrate this event, the Utzon Centre opened a permanent exhibition: “Sydney Opera House – a beautiful idea”. Where did this idea of the opera house begin? It was not in Sydney, but in Denmark. The story started with Jørn Utzon in the city of Aalborg, where he grew up.

Model of the Sydney Opera House, 1961

There is lots of information about Jørn Utzon himself, but also about the building process. You will find many of the drawings and models he made. Form the first simple drawings to the complete building. From being only an idea to the final contruction. We are allowed us to open drawers and look at his sketches. The room also shows a film from the building process. A table with wooden pieces invites you to sit down and be creative.

A model of The Utzon Centre A room where you can be ceative

Jørn Utzon – His life and what inspired him as an architect

It all started and ended in Aalborg. Since he was a few months old in 1918 and until the age of 19, he lived in Aalborg. After years spent elsewhere, he came back to Aalborg. His life was inspired by the life and environment at the harbourfront in Aalborg. His father was working at Aalborg Shipyard, as a shipbuilder. The waterfront became his playground where he spent lots of time. At the shipyard, together with his farther, he saw how ships were created. From a drawing to a ship ready to sail. Because of growing up by the sea, he also became a skilled sailor. His background from a maritime environment and all he learned from his father about constructing ships, influenced his later work as an architect.

The view of Limfjorden Aalborg Portland Cement in the background

Aalborg was also the producer of cement during the 1920s and 30s. The Portland Cement Factory is still located in Aalborg, by the waterfront of Limfjorden. Because of this industry, one of the essential parts of his architecture was the use of concrete.

The building seen through a glass installation by a Japanese artist

The centre holds both temporary and permanent exhibitions.

Since October 2023 one of the permanent exhibitions is “Sydney Opera House – an exhibition about this beautiful idea”. As I continued, I also had a look at several models of buildings that Utzon has designed. All the exhibition rooms are sentered around the courtyard. I was lucky to see one of the temporary exhibitions as well. Besides the exhibitions, the centre has a restaurant (facing Limfjorden), and a lovely courtyard. The photos above were taken from the courtyard where I ended up with a cup of coffee.

The Utzon Centre is a tribute to the idea of wanting to create.