Jorn Utzon - SilkeBorg (250 words)

Initial in my first observations of the SilkeBorg I didn't know what to expect as the exterior was minimal in contrast to the huge spaces the building holds underneath the ground. In saying that, this building is most dominant throughout its interior predominantly presented underground and thus the building is therefore quite organic and unique. Having the building underground explores the idea that the building wont disturb any of its surrounding structures as it blends in with nature.
Jorn Utzon; as he was highly inspired by the caves in Tatung (west Peking), this is strong evident in the plans he produced for the Silke Bourg Museum as the building is excavated into the landscape to subsequently create a cave like structure. I like the fact that Utzon has used an underground architecture as this is very unique as it holds interesting qualities.
The structures of the building are more than just four sided walls, the structures and object forms come in overwhelming appearances as they create awe like feelings. The structural forms of large curved surfaces which are on the interior as well as appearing in the exterior are of such magnitude they hold important value into the idea of the structure in connecting with the natural landscape.
Overall the structure is quite deceiving as the exterior is a very minimal element compared to the rest of the architecture. I admire the idea of the building as it is different to the all other buildings of this era; dominantly submerged beneath the ground.

- The utzon Library: Utzon and the new tradition. Arkitektens Forlag The Danish Architectural Press Copenhagen 2005