Embedded Emancipation: The field of Utzon’s platforms

Journal article, 2005

[This] paper turns attention to another key figure of twentieth century modernism. Michael Andersen's paper "Embedded Emancipation" revisits the issues of platforms in the architecture of Jørn Utzon, arguing that aside from their usual interpretation of being earthbound structures they also exhibit liberation from the ground plane. Prehispanic precedents in Mexico, where platforms appear to stroke the tops of mountains or glide above bush canopies, inspired the architect to invert the ground/sky experience. Andersen illustrates his argument using Utzon's most well-known building, one that is familiar to many readers of Fabrications, the Sydney Opera House.