Jørn Utzon: Sydney Opera House concept and realisation

Richard Johnson, AO, JPW Architects
This short talk will attempt to outline the significance of the Sydney Opera House, its role in the cultural life of the city and reflect upon ideas, inspiration and design principles central to Utzon’s architecture and way of working.

It will illustrate an approach to design with a fundamental focus on human experience and inspiration drawn from a deep observation of nature.

Utzon’s theory of additive architecture creating a rhythm of elements inspired by nature and enabling prefabrication, his understanding of materials and craft and the concept of integration of all building elements into a harmonic unity of form and experience will be briefly examined.

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Richard Johnson is a Founding Director of Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) a leading Australian Architectural practice.

His contribution to Architecture and the Arts is recognised by an MBE, The RAIA Gold Medal, RAIA life Fellow, Life Governor of the AGNSW, Distinguished Alumni UNSW and the Order of Australia.

He is currently an Honorary Professor UNSW BE and serves on City of Sydney Design and Public Art Advisory Panels.

Richard was an advisor to the SOH Trust from 1998 to 2008 and together with JPW collaborated with Jorn Utzon and Jan Utzon on a number of key SOH projects.