Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who designed what has arguably become the most famous building in the world, the Sydney
Opera House in Australia, has been chosen as the 2003 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize which marks its 25th anniversary this year.
The 84 year old Utzon has retired to a house he designed for himself on the island of Majorca, but his two sons, Jan and Kim, continue the practice of Utzon Architects in Haarby, Denmark.
Pritzker Prize jury chairman, Lord Rothschild, commented, Jørn Utzon created one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty known throughout the world. In addition to this masterpiece, he has worked throughout his life fastidiously, brilliantly, quietly and with never a false or jarring note. He is therefore a most distinguished recipient of the Pritzker Prize.
I like to be on the edge of the possible, is something Jørn Utzon has said. His work shows the world that he has been there and beyond he proves that the marvelous and seemingly impossible in architecture can be achieved. He has always been ahead of his time. He rightly joins the handful of Modernists who have shaped the past century with buildings of timeless and enduring quality.