History III

Arch. Jorn Utzon and Richard Meyer

Done by:
Afnan Mohammed Alani 200407765
Alaa Mohammed Alani 200407763
Farah Fahid Barakat Safa 200407611
Fetoon Abuamer 200407787
 Jorn Utzon
Early life
● Danish architect Jørn Utzon was born in 1918. While in secondary school, he began
helping his father, a brilliant naval architect, by studying new designs, drawing up
plans and making models. This activity opened another possibility—that of training to
be a naval architect like his father.After secondary school, he won admission to the
Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen.
● Utzon studied at the Copenhagen School of Architecture (1937–42) in 1946, he
worked in the office of the Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto.
● An admirer of the ideas of Gunnar Asplund, as well as Frank Lloyd Wright while still in
school, Utzon acknowledges that Aalto, Asplund and Wright were all major influences
in his own work.
Design philosophy
● Integration with Nature: He often incorporated elements of the landscape into his
buildings, ensuring they harmonized with the environment rather than imposing upon it.

● Cultural Sensitivity: Utzon respected the cultural context of his projects and sought to
incorporate local traditions, values, and aesthetics into his designs. He believed that
architecture should reflect and celebrate the unique identity of its place and people.

● Sculptural Expression: Utzon's designs often exhibited a sculptural quality, with fluid
forms and expressive shapes that captured the imagination. He viewed architecture as a
form of art capable of evoking emotion and inspiring wonder.
 Works

1-Sydney Opera House

Location- Sydney, Australia

Year– 1973

Type– Opera House

● The Sydney Opera House constitutes a masterpiece of 20th century architecture. Its significance is
based on its unparalleled design and construction; its exceptional engineering achievements and
technological innovation and its position as a world-famous icon of architecture
● Beyond its architectural significance, the Sydney Opera House is a vital cultural institution. It
houses multiple performance venues, including the Concert Hall, Opera Theatre, Drama Theatre,
and more, hosting a diverse array of performances ranging from opera and ballet to concerts and
theater productions
2-National Assembly of Kuwait

Location– Kuwait City, Kuwait

Year– 1972-1984

Type– the Government building

● Design: The design of Kuwait’s National Assembly Building, having

connections with Islamic architecture, invigorates from a walled
miniature city embracing offices designed around courts and accessed
through a central hall. It is reminiscent of a souk (an Arab marketplace
or a bazaar) facing the sea while the canopy mimics Bedouin desert
tents.
● Planning: It is a two-storey complex comprising a parliamentary
chamber, a large conference hall, each with sag roofs, ancillary offices,
reception halls, and a free-standing, flat-roofed mosque.
3- The Bagsværd Church

Location– Denmark

Year– 1976

Type– Church

● The space stands as the epitome of spirituality through creating a perfect

balance of acoustics, light, texture and color that itself creates a peaceful
and soothing atmosphere with the church. But one is not able to grasp the
complexity of interior from outside. What leaves the visitor awestruck is the
contrast of the interior and the exterior, the orthogonal form of the exterior
gives no hint of the curves that are dominating the interior structure.
 Richard Meier
Early life
● Richard Meier was born in Newark , New Jersey . He received his architectural education at Cornell
University . After working for a short time at the architectural firm SOM ( Skidmore, Owings and
Merrill ) in 1959, he worked with Marcel Breuer for three years. He opened his own architecture
office in New York in 1963. He became famous as a member of the New York Five in 1972 and with
the Getty Center built in Los Angeles , California .

● Meier gained international recognition for his design of the Getty Center in Los Angeles, completed
in 1997. The Getty Center is a sprawling complex that houses the J. Paul Getty Museum, research
institutes, and various cultural and educational facilities.
Design philosophy
● 1. Formalism and Geometry: Meier's designs often feature geometric forms, clean lines, and precise
proportions. He seeks to create visually striking compositions through the careful arrangement of
forms and volumes.

● 2. Use of White: White is a signature element in Meier's architectural designs. He employs white as
a dominant color in his buildings, both externally and internally, to enhance the play of light,
emphasize the purity of form, and create a sense of timelessness.

● 3. Natural Light: Meier places a strong emphasis on natural light and its ability to shape and define
spaces. He carefully incorporates windows, skylights, and other openings to maximize the entry of
natural light into his buildings, creating a sense of openness and enhancing the spatial experience.

● 4. Spatial Hierarchy: Meier carefully plans and organizes spaces to create a sense of hierarchy and
flow. His designs often feature a progression of spaces, with a focus on creating moments of
surprise and discovery as one moves through the building.
Works
1-Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art ( MACBA )

Location- Barcelona, Spain

Year– 1995

Type– Contemporary art museum

● The building of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona , ​made of concrete, white aluminum
and glass, designed in 1990 and built between 1991 and 1995.

● The architecture of the MACBA is characterized by clean lines, white facades, and geometric forms,
which are typical of Meier's modernist design approach. The building's white exterior stands out as
a stark contrast against the surrounding urban environment. It features large windows and
skylights that allow natural light to permeate the interior spaces, creating a bright and airy
atmosphere.
2- The Jubilee Church

Location- Rome, Italy

Year– 2003

Type– Church

● The design of the Jubilee Church is distinctive and showcases Richard Meier's modernist
architectural style. The building is characterized by its curved, sail-like roof, which gives it a unique
and sculptural appearance. The roof is made of concrete and covered with white fiberglass,
emphasizing the play of light and shadow on the exterior surfaces.

● Inside, the church features a circular plan with three main wings radiating from the central altar
area. The interior spaces are filled with natural light through large windows and skylights, creating
a tranquil and ethereal atmosphere. The use of white surfaces, both in the exterior and interior.
 3-The High Museum of Art

Location- Atlanta , Georgia, United States

Year– 1983

Type– Art Museums

● The building features a predominantly white facade, which is a signature element of Meier's
architectural designs. The use of white provides a sense of purity and timelessness while also
allowing the structure to stand out against its surroundings.

● One of the notable features of the design is the use of natural light. Meier incorporated large
windows and skylights throughout the building to maximize the entry of daylight into the gallery
spaces. This not only enhances the viewing experience but also creates an ever-changing interplay
of light and shadow within the museum.

● The interior of the High Museum of Art is organized around a central atrium, known as the
Robinson Atrium, which serves as a focal point and circulation hub for visitors. The atrium features
a dramatic spiral staircase that connects the different levels of the museum. The open and
spacious design of the atrium allows for a sense of visual connection and provides a welcoming
and dynamic space for visitors to gather.
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