Jorn Utzon

An architect's architect, Jorn Utzon, who died Nov. 29 at 90, was immensely creative in his understanding of space. He was also a problem solver, concerned with human scale, structure and function. His life, his legacy and the story of the Sydney Opera House are so intertwined that it is almost impossible to separate them from one another. His astonishing 1957 design was pure poetry. It was a landmark then and remains so.

But Utzon will also be remembered as a somewhat tragic figure. He saw his dream destroyed and his design modified after a disagreement with the Australian government resulted in his resignation from the project before its completion. Sadly, the experience prevented him from creating more than he did.

The making of architecture has a profound effect on those who experience it. When completed, it takes on a life of its own, and all we can hope for is that its life is long and healthy. Utzon understood that. It is easy to be wistful about the lost possibility of another Utzon masterwork, but perhaps it is better to honor the sacrifices Jorn made for this one, which will shine forever.

Meier, a world-renowned architect, designed the Getty Center in Los Angeles