Roger around the World

We can't visit Sydney and not say anything about Utzon's opera house. That's Thilde and Bastian with lollipops waving, by the way...

Did you know that Utzon created a building of equal splendor? Fly back west ten hours and head slightly north and you'll land right in front of it. It's the Parliament of Kuwait.

I'm allowing myself yet another second picture on a page and you'll see what I mean:

Here is an extract from an article from Roger Larsen's Kuwait visit in 2005.

"The Danish architect Jørn Utzon is perhaps best known for the design of the opera house in Sydney, Australia.

Whereas the Sydney opera house is unique and truly exceptional, the lesser–known but equally exceptional design of the Kuwait parliament did pose a much bigger challenge, which he executed with brilliance and flair for the culture and metrological conditions under which it is built.

There is one fabulous feature that stands out as you first view the building; an enormous tent-shape with its front to the Gulf Sea to catch the cool breeze from the Arab Sea. This also, as you experience once you are in the National Assembly hall, channels the light and funnels it into the large assembly room and also, from the inside, acts as an acoustic device to spread and even out the sound during sessions. The Arabic tent-shape is also the symbol of hospitality and in this case, the openness of the Kuwait democracy."