Of cabinet-making, wrestling, and coincidence: speculations upon a theory of critical non-theory in architecture....and possibly beyond

Jørn Utzon’s work represents an approach to architecture that is site specific and poetic, tectonic, sustainable and humane; that derives from a deep appreciation of nature and the diversity of human cultures, as sources of inspiration and analogy, combined with an intuitive sense of architecture as art and a pragmatic, yet innovative approach to the use of technology pushed, according to Utzon to the “edge of the possible.”
This paper seeks to consider and present a critical understanding of Jørn Utzon, as an outstanding exponent of a transcultural and tectonic approach to modern architecture in the late twentieth century. The context in which architects are operating today is significantly different to that which Utzon experienced, this paper will critically examine the extent to which the design approach and understanding that is embodied in Utzon’s paradigm can be considered to still be relevant within the prevailing contemporary context; and how it is might evolve and be further developed by others.
By drawing upon and analysing parallels to the design methods and range of inspiration in Utzon’s architecture; the paper will examine the extent to which these principles and precedents can be seen to be evoked and continued by significant current practitioners working as poetically, humanely and tectonically today.