The groundbreaking ceremony for the Utzon Centre, on the waterfront of Aalborg, happened on 6 February 2007. By May 2008 it's doors were open to to the public. The 2800 m2 centre contains a permanent exhibition of Jørn Utzon's works. In addition, other artists have the opportunity of exhibiting their own work in the centre. The University of Aalborg has leased an 800 m2 area of the centre, for their students of architecture and design to use.
Jørn Utzon died on 28 November, 2008, at the age of 90. Happily the world-renowned architect lived to see the centre completed and in use by the local community - he grew up in the Aalborg area. He contributed the first sketches to the eye-catching centre's archives, which were established in cooperation with his son Kim. The centre is owned and operated by the Utzon Foundation.
Ramboll held responsibility for the project design of the Utzon Centre, on behalf of the developer H. P. Gruppen.
Combined with the soon-to-be-completed House of Music and the Utzon Park, the Centre helps to form a new and modern waterfront area for Aalborg. As well as being a space for culture and for the community to come together, these projects will represent themselves as future icons for the city.
