Jørn Utzon's design of Can Feliz encompasses the architectural pursuits of his career; his use of natural materials connects with his interest in 'the platform' and in the ancient Islamic and Mayan cultures, along with Japanese and Chinese architectural culture
"Currently, Jørn Utzon lives in retirement with his wife Lis, on the island of Majorca, where they originally began building a home in 1971 and completed it two years later. It was almost twenty years later, that the Utzons decided to build another house on Majorca , nestled on the side of a mountain. The decision to build there was prompted by several reasons: the glare from the sea became very tiring for eyes weakened by a lifetime of close work with drawings; the pounding surf became more of a disturbance than a comfort; and there were more and more intrusions by architecture buffs seeking to wander the site.”
Can Feliz connects with the solidity of the hillside it is situated on, promenading out on a platform and built from stone masonry. It harkens back to ancient structures of the region, and has been described as a 'miniature acropolis'. Asian ideals of order and organisation are also present, as seen in the construction of the entry collonade, which forces you to turn to enter the building, 'keeping out evil spirits'.
Article featuring Jørn Utzon's views on the platform, 'Platforms and Plateaus'.
First published in 1962.
http://www.arranz.net/web.arch-mag.com/2e/recy/recy1t.html
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