Can Lis – Utzon’s Hidden Masterpiece . New page

Winner · Environmental Film · London Art Film Awards 2026


Documentary film

Can Lis

Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece

The film delves into the history of Can Lis, the residence Jørn Utzon designed on the coast of Mallorca. More than just a house, Can Lis represents the perfect harmony between design and nature, using local materials and sustainability principles long before the concept gained global significance.

53 minEnglish & Spanish

A Share Your Green Design film · Supported by Utzon Center

Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece poster
About the film

Synopsis

Located on the majestic coast of Mallorca, Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece unravels the history and significance of the iconic house designed by Jørn Utzon, the architect behind the world-famous Sydney Opera House, as a retreat for him and his family a few years after he left Sydney. Utzon crafted a home that harmonises with its surroundings while embodying his architectural philosophy.

In this film we explore how this retreat becomes a fine example of timeless design and architectural poetry, with a deep respect for the island's natural environment and the use of local materials and resources. Can Lis was built 50 years ago, but it is more relevant now than ever, in the current context of climate change, rising carbon emissions and resource scarcity.

Guided by the insightful knowledge of the architects and university professors Piers Taylor and Francisco Cifuentes, a Professor at ETH Zurich, and featuring a special collaboration with Line Nørskov, architect and director of exhibitions at the Utzon Center, this documentary reveals how Utzon distilled lessons from his global travels, the local context in Mallorca, his youth in Denmark, his life in Sydney, his passion for sailing and his understanding of the world, that led him to create this timeless masterpiece.

Directed by Juan Alberto Morillas, architect and founder of the platform Share Your Green Design, with an original soundtrack composed by award-winning composer Juan Cruz-Guevara, this film celebrates the convergence of art, nature and design, and invites us to rethink how we build for the future.

Watch

Trailer

Festivals

Awards

London Art Film Awards 2026 – WinnerWinner · Environmental FilmLondon Art Film Awards 2026
Galway Film Fleadh laurelOfficial SelectionGalway Film Fleadh 2026
Silk Road International Film Festival laurelJury Special MentionSilk Road International Film Festival 2025
Sofia World Film Festival laurelTwo Honourable MentionsBest Director Debut & Best Original Score · Sofia World Film Festival 2025
Beyond The Screen Festival laurelHonourable MentionBeyond The Screen Festival 2026
Best Shorts Competition laurel – DirectionAward of ExcellenceDirection · Best Shorts Competition 2025
Best Shorts Competition laurel – DocumentaryAward of ExcellenceDocumentary · Best Shorts Competition 2025
The Impact Doc Award laurelAward of ExcellenceThe Impact Doc Award 2026
WSXA Barcelona laurelOfficial FinalistWSXA Barcelona International Film Festival 2026
ARFF Barcelona laurelSemi-FinalistARFF Barcelona International Film Festival 2026
Filmhaus laurelSemi-FinalistFilmhaus 2026
Your Way International Film Festival laurelOfficial SelectionYour Way International Film Festival 2026
Liberty Film Festival laurelOfficial SelectionLiberty Film Festival 2026
Vesuvio International Movie Awards laurelOfficial SelectionVesuvio International Movie Awards 2026
Credits

Cast & crew

Juan A. Morillas

Juan A. Morillas

Director

Piers Taylor

Piers Taylor

Presenter

Francisco Cifuentes

Francisco Cifuentes

Presenter

Line Nørskov Davenport

Line Nørskov Davenport

Presenter
Exhibition Director, Utzon Center

Juan Cruz-Guevara

Juan Cruz-Guevara

Composer – Original Soundtrack

Juan A. Morillas

Director

Juan Alberto Morillas Martín is an architect and filmmaker, renowned for his innovative approach to sustainable architecture and his ability to merge design and storytelling in film. He currently serves as Head of Sustainable Design at Sisk, one of the leading construction companies, where he leads projects focused on sustainability and environmental efficiency.

He is the founder of Share Your Green Design, a pioneering platform promoting sustainable design practices, and co-founder of Loop Your Spare, an initiative driving the circular economy through resource reuse and optimisation. His global perspective on sustainability and commitment to innovation have established him as a key figure in both architecture and film.

As the director of this documentary, his ability to tell visual stories and his in-depth knowledge of sustainable architecture enrich the narrative, offering a unique perspective on how design and sustainability can transform our environments.

Visit website ↗

Piers Taylor

Presenter

Award-winning architect, design innovator and a familiar face in architectural broadcasting, Piers Taylor brings a unique perspective on space, form and sustainability. Best known for his work on BBC Two and Netflix with series such as The World's Most Extraordinary Homes, he blends deep architectural expertise with an insatiable curiosity for groundbreaking ideas in design and construction.

As the founder of Invisible Studio, his approach challenges conventions, embracing experimentation, efficiency and minimal environmental impact. Beyond practice, he has played a significant role in architectural education, serving as the inaugural Studio Master of the Design & Make programme at the Architectural Association's Hooke Park and lecturing at prestigious institutions worldwide.

With a background in academia and a reputation as a disruptive thinker, he is the perfect voice to lead this documentary exploration, where architecture, creativity and innovation converge to redefine the future of design.

Visit website ↗

Francisco Cifuentes

Presenter

Renowned Mallorcan architect Francisco Cifuentes Utrero is a leading figure in Mediterranean architecture and a foremost expert on Can Lis, the iconic residence designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon in Mallorca. Since 2025 he has been Full Professor of Architecture and Resources at ETH Zurich. His career seamlessly blends architectural practice with academic research.

In 2015 he earned a PhD in Architecture from UPC with his thesis La Lonja de Guillem Sagrera. The Hall of Merchants, awarded Summa Cum Laude. He has also taught at the School of Architecture of Reus (EAR) at Rovira i Virgili University (URV) and at the School of Architecture (ESARQ) of the International University of Catalonia (UIC).

As co-founder of Aulets Arquitectes, he has dedicated his work to exploring sustainable ways of inhabiting the landscape, using local materials and respecting the natural environment. His deep knowledge of Can Lis and his passion for Mediterranean architecture make him the ideal presenter for this documentary, offering expert insight and a profound connection to Utzon's legacy in Mallorca.

Visit website ↗

Juan Cruz-Guevara

Composer – Original Soundtrack

Acclaimed Spanish composer Juan Cruz-Guevara is a leading figure in contemporary classical music, known for his evocative and immersive compositions. His ability to blend orchestral depth with emotional storytelling has earned him prestigious accolades, including the Premio Reina Sofía de Composición Musical in 2018, one of the most esteemed awards in European music. His works have been performed by renowned orchestras, cementing his place on the international music scene.

He is a professor at the Conservatorio Superior de Música Victoria Eugenia in Granada, where he shapes the next generation of musicians. His versatility has led him to collaborate with world-class artists, including David Bisbal, for whom he orchestrated and arranged the acclaimed David Bisbal Filarmónico by Cosentino concert, adapting pop music into a grand symphonic experience.

As the composer of this documentary's original score, he crafts a sonic landscape that enhances the film's narrative, forging a profound connection between architecture, design and sound.

Visit website ↗

Line Nørskov Davenport

Presenter · Exhibition Director, Utzon Center

Line Nørskov Davenport is an architect, researcher, curator and Exhibition Director at the Utzon Center in Denmark, one of the leading international institutions dedicated to the study and dissemination of the architecture of Jørn Utzon, creator of the Sydney Opera House. She holds a PhD in Architecture and is recognised as one of the world's foremost experts on Utzon's life, travels and work. Her research has explored how the Danish architect's international journeys and cultural experiences shaped his creative thinking and some of the most significant works of 20th-century architecture.

As Exhibition Director of the Utzon Center, she leads exhibitions, publications, lectures and outreach initiatives that bring architecture to an international audience, combining academic research, curatorial sensitivity and a deep understanding of the cultural dimension of design. Her work stands out for exploring the relationship between architecture, place, landscape, art and human experience.

Regarded as one of the most authoritative contemporary voices on Jørn Utzon's legacy, she has made a decisive contribution to broadening the understanding of his thinking and his influence on modern architecture, establishing herself as a reference figure in the research, interpretation and international dissemination of his work.

Visit the Utzon Center ↗
Gallery

Still photos

Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece Still from Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece
Behind the film

Testimonials

In life, there are moments that define us, and for me, visiting Can Lis in 2022 was one of those moments. This documentary is the result of three years of discovery about Can Lis, Mallorca, Utzon, but also about what is truly important in architecture and life. Can Lis is much more than a house. It is the materialisation of a way of understanding the world. And that is what I have tried to convey with this documentary.
Juan A. Morillas
Juan A. MorillasDirector
It's been an extraordinary pleasure to immerse myself in the world of Utzon and Can Lis. I studied in Sydney, I've been to the Opera House, but nothing quite prepared me for where visiting Can Lis would take me, and what it would show me about an extraordinary world of architecture that can move beyond the orthodox, the formal, the dogmatic. The rich world of Utzon opened up something for me that really was life-changing.
Piers Taylor
Piers TaylorPresenter
Composing the music for Can Lis has been a rewarding experience because I had to navigate through very different sound worlds, finding the sound of every corner of the house and every thought of Utzon. Being present at the documentary's premiere at the Utzon Center, his home, was a very happy and fulfilling moment. An unforgettable moment.
Juan Cruz-Guevara
Juan Cruz-GuevaraComposer
In their words

Audience reactions

This beautiful documentary was for me a revelation: spectacular insights into the siting, design and materiality of Can Lis.
Owen LewisEmeritus Professor of Architectural Science, University College Dublin
The extraordinary work of Juan Alberto Morillas's team offers us an experience of captivating and magical beauty, revealing Utzon's petrified dream: the value of place, the rigour of simplicity, the rhythm of light, the colour of earth and sea, and the song of silence broken by the waves. A perfect tribute to life. A perfect tribute to Architecture.
Francisco Jesús Sánchez MartínezSecretary, Official Association of Architects of Granada
When several artistic languages come together to express something, the result is sublime. The staging, text and cinematography are worthy of the architectural ensemble; they flow together as one whole which, without Juan Cruz-Guevara's music, would lack unity. The music, like the sea, shapes the cliff, the building and the dialogue of this documentary.
Indalecio Pérez EntrenaSculptor
A wonderful approach to a remarkable work and architect. The connection between landscape, project and biography is beautifully crafted, resulting in a personal and thought-provoking audiovisual document. A must-see for students, educators, professionals and anyone interested in getting closer to the essence of architecture.
Tomás García PírizDeputy Director of Outreach, Social Impact and Entrepreneurship, School of Architecture, University of Granada
For universities & institutions

Screening licences

Bring Can Lis to your classroom, library or cultural programme. Ideal for courses in architecture history and theory, sustainable design, landscape and environmental studies.

Screening Licence

For universities, schools, libraries, professional associations and cultural centres.

  • One screening in a classroom or venue
  • Up to 100 people, free admission
  • Access from the working day before your screening until 48 hours after it starts, via a private, password-protected link
  • Streaming only – the film cannot be downloaded
€120 + VAT
per screening licence
Book a screening licence

VAT, where applicable, is calculated at checkout according to your country.

How it works

1

Book online

Pay securely online and tell us your screening date, venue and course at checkout. Please book at least 2 working days in advance.

2

Receive your link

We email your private viewing link and password on the working day before your screening.

3

Screen the film

Your link works until 48 hours after your screening starts and then expires automatically.

Tailored options

The following are not included in the standard screening licence and are quoted separately.

Larger audiences or longer accessMore than 100 people, several screenings or a longer access period.
Q&A with the cast & crewA Q&A with a member of the cast or crew, in person or online, subject to availability.
Request a quote

Watching at home?

Can Lis will soon be available to rent and watch at home. Join the waiting list and you'll be the first to know. In the meantime, you can ask your university, library or architecture association to host a screening.

Join the waiting list

Does your institution need to pay by bank transfer or purchase order? Contact us.
Licence terms · Questions: canlis@shareyourgreendesign.com

Music

Original soundtrack

The soundtrack by Juan Cruz-Guevara accompanies the viewer throughout the 53-minute journey, blending Jørn Utzon's architecture with the essence of the Mallorcan landscape. From the melancholy of the opening notes to the gentle farewell of Aire, each piece reflects a different facet of the place and its creator.

The complete soundtrack, including the closing song Aire, is available on Spotify.

Independent film

Has this story inspired you?

Can Lis – Utzon's Hidden Masterpiece is an independent documentary project. You can support us with a voluntary contribution to help bring this story to festivals, screenings and new audiences. Interested in screening the film or collaborating? Get in touch. Have you seen the film? We would love to hear what you thought.

Contributions are not charitable donations and are not tax-deductible. Payments are securely processed via Stripe.
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