An Architect's Perspective

What do you build after the Sydney Opera House? For Jørn Utzon, it was Can Lis - a quiet, elemental retreat on the cliffs of Mallorca that redefined modern architecture.In this episode, architect James Hamilton visits Utzon’s home to explore how vernacular materials, sunlight, and silence shaped one of the 20th century’s most poetic buildings. With a special interview from architect John Pardey — who knew Utzon personally — we uncover how this house changed the direction of modernism by rooting itself in place, not prestige.You’ll learn● Why Can Lis is a masterclass in site-specific design● How local materials and passive cooling shaped Utzon’s approach● What it meant for Utzon to walk away from the Opera House● How vernacular modernism challenged the International Style● The design secrets behind Can Lis’ famous framed sea viewsTimestamps00:00 — Intro02:45 — The Crescent Moon Entrance07:22 — Framing Views & Light12:01 — Building Around Nature20:10 — Vernacular vs. Modern26:45 — Bedrooms & Contemplation34:00 — Interview with John Pardey48:25 — Utzon’s Architectural Legacy54:43 — Why They Left Can Lis58:10 — Final ReflectionsFollow & ListenPodcast: An Architect’s PerspectiveWebsite: https://jameshamiltonarchitects.comInstagram: @jameshamiltonarchitectsTikTok: @jameshamiltonarchitectsFacebook: @jameshamiltonarchitectsX: @jameshamiltonarchitectsPinterest: @jameshamiltonarchitects

Ever wondered how 20th century modernist architecture shaped the world? From cliffside retreats to high-tech homes, the visual podcast “An Architect’s Perspective” is your front-row seat to the 20th century’s most influential architecture. Join architect James Hamilton as he travels the globe, unlocking the stories behind modernism’s most iconic buildings with the people who know them best. Walk through Jørn Utzon’s Can Lis, stand inside Mies van der Rohe’s Villa Tugendhat, and experience Charles Correa’s visionary works in India, among many more in this weekly series. This is a cinematic series that doesn't just show you the intricacies of architecture, but reveals the radical ideas, risks and convictions that brought the buildings to life. Produced by OneFinePlayWebsite: https://jameshamiltonarchitects.comInstagram: @jameshamiltonarchitectsTikTok: @jameshamiltonarchitectsFacebook: @jameshamiltonarchitectsX: @jameshamiltonarchitects