The Utzon Center – art, architecture and design

The Utzon Center was inaugurated in May 2008, and it stands as the first of a number of cultural initiatives on Aalborg’s new water front. The Utzon Center functions as a venue for diffusion and innovation, where art, architecture and design interact with exhibition, education, conferences and culinary experiences – an apt tribute to the Danish architect Jørn Utzon (1918-2008).

Utzon and Aalborg

The Utzon Center is appropriately located by the harbor, where the young Jørn Utzon, who was born and raised in Aalborg, walked by every day on his way to school. The building itself was designed by Jørn Utzon in cooperation with his son Kim Utzon, and the center has rapidly become a hot spot for locals as well as visitors from all over the world.

Experience the Utzon Center

The two museum halls of each 350 square meters display fascinating spatial exhibitions as well as larger art pieces – uniquely illuminated by skylights. The front hall of the building towards the water, displays a 30 year old yacht with distinctive curvature of its stern forms, known as Spidsgatter. The yacht was designed by Jørn Utzon’s father, Aage Utzon who worked as an engineer at the shipyards in Aalborg. Two walls in the ‘Spidsgatter Hall’ are reserved for the museum’s permanent harbor front exhibit – and the harbor front itself is right outside the panoramic windows.
Sheltered by four glass walls, the Utzon Center also includes a lovely court yard decorated with, by choice of Jørn Utzon himself, a crab apple tree, which blooms with delicate pink flowers in the summer time.
In the Utzon Café and Restaurant located directly above the fjord, you can enjoy a delicious meal, and in the gift shop they sell books written by and about Jørn Utzon as well as small design classics.

The Utzon Park

East of the Utzon Center you can sit back and enjoy the beautiful Utzon Park. In the park, Jørn Utzon had planted his favorite trees – cherry trees of three different sorts. Among the cherry trees, you will see concrete furniture of Utzon’s design – originally designed for the foyer of the Sydney Opera House. The park also exhibits the artist Tove Anderberg’s sculpture ‘Favntag’.

Utzon and the shipyards

Jørn Utzon’s main inspiration for the design of the Utzon Center was Aalborg’s industry and shipyards. The Utzon Center stands as an architectural intermediary between the buildings of the city center opposite the tall, massive constructions by the new water front and the heavy industry on the east harbor.
On the center’s own web site, you can read more about the design and materials of the Utzon Center 

The new Aalborg

The Utzon Center is not only a venue for architecturally interested locals and visitors but moreover a statement about Aalborg’s new identity. Along with Alvar Alto’s art museum Kunsten, the Utzon Center strongly insists on placing Aalborg on the international architectural scene.

KUNSTEN – museum of modern art

With his profound fascination of the interaction between man and nature, Alvar Alto is a true pioneer of Nordic architecture and design, and his quest for international appreciation and respect has been overwhelmingly successful. Altos famous glass vase is in itself an icon, as it displays his universal ability to combine traditional craftsmanship with modern industrial techniques.
On the same note, Alvar Alto’s respect for the surrounding nature and his sensuous expression ensures a harmonious connection between his works and the context, in which they are placed. Alto was also occupied with incorporating classic architectural elements into modern constructions. This tendency becomes evident through Kunsten’s outdoor amphitheater.

Architecture and light

KUNSTEN in Aalborg has a powerful, almost monumental appearance with light glass elements rising up from the heavy marble foundation. In combination with the natural hills constituting the background of the museum, this design creates and almost abstract looking landscape. Immediately after stepping into the building you will sense Alto’s fascination with and unrivalled ability to incorporate light as part of his architectural expression. Even on a cloudy day, light flows through the museum hall as if drawn by the building’s curved, reflecting shapes.

New addition – Water Pavilion

A new water sculpture designed by the internationally respected Danish architect Jeppe Hein brings life to the sculpture park outside KUNSTEN. Children as well as adults are encouraged to interact with the sculpture which appeals to both the playful and the thoughtful.
In the Sculpture Park you will also find works by Bjørn Nørgaard, Mogens Møller and Gunnar Aagaard Andersen. Read more about KUNSTEN