The world has lost one of the finest, most visionary architects of the 20th century with the death overnight of Sydney Opera House creator Jørn Utzon, the Australian Institute of Architects said today.

Speaking on behalf of the Australian architecture profession, Institute National President Howard Tanner said the profession’s thoughts and condolences were with the Utzon family and friends at this sad time. 

“Mr Utzon has inspired generations of architects with his projects over the past half-century – but in particular the iconic Sydney Opera House, for which he will always be remembered and revered,” Mr Tanner said.

“The Opera House is widely regarded internationally as one of the top ten modern architectural masterpieces in the world. Mr Utzon’s vision represents an outstanding example of what can be achieved when you have a driving idea for the future and the opportunity to explore that.

“As Australians, we should feel incredibly fortunate and humbled that his plans for the future, and the resultant building, are known and recognised around the globe as enduring symbols of the inventiveness, gutsiness and creativity of this country.”

Mr Utzon won an international competition to design the Sydney Opera House in 1957, working on the project over the ensuing nine years before leaving Australia in 1966 following disputes with the then NSW Government.

His legacy was formally acknowledged in Australia in 1973, when he was awarded the Australian Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal - the architectural profession’s highest accolade, recognising distinguished service by architects who have designed or executed buildings of high merit, or who have produced works of distinction resulting in the advancement of architecture. Thirty years later he was awarded the world’s highest annual architectural award – the 2003 Pritzker Prize for Architecture – for the Opera House. 

After many years of lobbying by NSW organisations, UNESCO last year recognised the Opera House with World Heritage Listing, representing international acknowledgement of the value of the house as an outstanding work of architecture, and assisting in the long term protection of the integrity of the design.

Based since 1966 in Europe, Mr Utzon had continued to work over the past 40 years on a range of architectural projects - including his ongoing recent work with the Sydney Opera House Trust, his son Jan, and Richard Johnson of Johnson Pilton Walker on the Opera House.

Mr Tanner said the nation was very fortunate that Mr Utzon’s original design principles for the Opera House interiors and exteriors had been preserved as part of this ongoing process. Work to incorporate these plans had already been completed on areas such as the Utzon Room and the Western Colonnade.

“The original design integrity is documented, and is an invaluable legacy for the nation. The Institute is hopeful that Mr Utzon’s plans for the building will continue to receive due government support in order for them to be brought to fruition.”