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Jorn Utzon

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Architect

The Resume

    (April 9, 1918-November 29, 2008)
    Born in Copenhagen, Denmark
    Designed the Sydney Opera House
    Received architecture's highest honor, the Pritzker Prize (2003)

Why he might be annoying:

    He originally planned to join the Danish navy, but failed the entrance exams.
    He rarely used a sketchbook, so that one of his designs, drawn on a sidewalk, was lost when a thunderstorm washed it away overnight.
    He quit the Sydney Opera House project seven years before its completion in an acrimonious dispute with the Australian government over delays and cost overruns (1966).
    After leaving the project, he never returned to Australia to see the completed building.
    Despite its distinctive appearance, the Opera House continues to draw complaints over its poor acoustics.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was married to his wife, Lis, for 66 years until his death.
    His supporters claim the cost overruns occurred because the budget had been deliberately lowballed by the New South Wales government.
    His supporters also claim most of the acoustic problems were caused by changes made after he left the project.
    He was hired to oversee a $700 million renovation of the Opera House to alleviate space and acoustic problems (2000).
    Architect Louis Kahn said of the Sydney Opera House, 'The sun did not know how beautiful its light was until it was reflected off this building.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 30.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 22 Votes: 59.09% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 14 Votes: 35.71% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 30 Votes: 16.67% Annoying