Dark sails mourn death of architect

The distinctive white sails of the Sydney Opera House darkened yesterday to mourn the death of Joern Utzon, the creative mind behind the globally known landmark.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd led praise for the Danish architect, whose most distinctive creation had a troublesome birth in Australia but is now held dear as perhaps the country's most recognised icon.

"Joern Utzon was a visionary architect whose legacy includes one of the world's most spectacular and inspiring buildings, the Sydney Opera House," Rudd said.

Utzon died from a heart attack in his sleep on Saturday, aged 90.