Sydney Opera House (Australia) - building in the style of modern expressionism, symbol of Australia

The Sydney Opera House, located on Bennelong Point, is one of the most important and recognizable places in the world. Known for its modern expressionist style, the structure is not only a symbol of Australia, but also a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history, structure and unique features of the Sydney Opera House.

History of the construction of the Sydney Opera House

The history of the construction of the Sydney Opera House is full of challenges and controversy. In 1956, an international architectural competition was announced, which attracted 233 entries from 32 countries. The winner of the competition was the Danish architect Jørn Utzon, even though his design was only a general sketch and did not meet all the competition conditions. However, the jury saw in it great potential and a vision that could revolutionize architecture.

Construction of the Opera House began in 1959, on the site of a former tram depot on the Bennelong Point peninsula. Utzon's project, carried out in cooperation with engineer Ove Arup, encountered many difficulties related to the unusual form of the roof shells. The roof structure was one of the greatest technical challenges ever undertaken at that time. These problems resulted in significant delays and budget overruns, which increased from the original $7 million to $102 million.

Architecture and construction

The Sydney Opera House is a structure made of steel, concrete and glass, and its characteristic roof consists of thousands of white, anti-fungal ceramic tiles that shine in the sun. The roof, resembling outstretched sails, is supported by steel ribs and 350 kilometers of cables. Its total weight is 161,000 tons, and the roof sections weigh 15 tons each.

The opera building is 183 meters long and 120 meters wide, and its highest point reaches 67 meters. Inside there are 6,225 m² of tinted glass, the world's largest curtains and a mechanical organ with 10,154 pipes, which took 10 years to build.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Sydney Opera House is its green approach to energy management. The building is cooled by seawater taken directly from the port which circulates through pipes with a total length of 35 kilometers, serving both cooling and air conditioning.

Functions of the Opera House

The Sydney Opera House is a cultural center with several halls adapted for various types of performances. The largest of them, Concert Hall, has 2,679 seats and is the home of the Sydney Symphony. This hall is equipped with the world's largest mechanical organ, which has over 10,000 pipes. Other important rooms are:

Joan Sutherland Theater (Opera Theatre): 1,507-seat proscenium theater, home to Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet.

Drama Theatre: 544-seat prostage theater used by the Sydney Theater Company and other theater and ballet companies.

Playhouse: 398-seat studio theater.

Studio: space for variable interior arrangements, accommodating a maximum of 400 viewers.

Utzon Room: a multi-purpose space with a maximum of 210 seats, the only interior designed personally by Utzon, renovated in 2004 under his supervision.

Forecourt: multi-purpose open space for free configuration, with the possibility of using monumental stairs as seats for spectators.

Expressionist architecture and technical challenges

The design of the Sydney Opera House, created by Jörn Utzon, is a perfect example of modern expressionism. The building is distinguished by its unique roof shells, which resemble spread sails. These dynamic forms give the Opera House its distinctive look that has become a symbol of Sydney. It is worth noting, however, that the implementation of these shells was one of the greatest technical challenges of the project. The use of advanced computer techniques to model and prefabricate roof elements was necessary, which was an innovative approach at that time.

The Sydney Opera House was a pioneer in the use of new construction technologies. One of the most innovative solutions was the use of a rope system that allowed the heavy roof shells to be held in place. This system consists of 350 kilometers of steel cables that form the framework of the roof, ensuring its stability and flexibility.

The Sydney Opera House is not only a building, but above all the cultural center of Australia. In addition to regular opera and ballet performances, concerts, theater performances and various artistic events also take place here. The Opera House is home to several famous performing arts groups, such as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia. It is also worth mentioning the Joan Sutherland Theatre, named after one of the most famous Australian sopranos.

One of the biggest problems encountered during the construction of the Opera House was acoustics. The initially designed interiors had problems with proper sound distribution, which was a big challenge for the performers. The introduction of savings and design changes after Utzon's departure resulted in some rooms having less perfect acoustics than originally planned. This prompted subsequent work on improving the acoustics, which lasted many years.

The Sydney Opera House is also an example of sustainable construction. In 2015, the building received 4 stars and an ecological certificate from the Green Building Council of Australia. This achievement is the result of many ecological initiatives, such as the use of seawater for building cooling, waste recycling systems and efficient energy management.

Curiosities and facts

The construction of the Sydney Opera House was financed largely by lottery, which was unusual at the time. Initially, it was planned to complete the construction in 1965, but numerous technical and financial problems caused the construction to last until 1973. As a result of these delays and budget overruns, Utzon left Australia in 1966 and the construction was completed by a group of young Australian architects, including Peter Hall, Lionel Todd and David Littlemore.

The opera house was officially opened on October 20, 1973 by Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, she has visited the building three more times. In 2007, the Sydney Opera House was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which confirms its unique importance on a global scale.

In 2015, the building received 4 stars and an ecological certificate from the Green Building Council of Australia, which proves the Opera House's commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection.

Opera in films and literature

The Sydney Opera House, thanks to its unique architecture and international fame, regularly appears as a backdrop in films and books, adding drama and depth to the plot. In literature and on screen, it symbolizes not only a place, but also uniqueness and recognition, being an integral part of many cultural works.

The book "In the Secret Service" by Mitch Silver and the movie "Independence Day: Resurgence" or even "Mission: Impossible II" are examples where the Sydney Opera House plays a key role in developing the plot. In both works, its monumentality and unique aesthetics are used to enhance the atmosphere of mystery and drama.

However, the building is not always just a background. In the novel "A Daughter's a Daughter" Agatha Christie uses the Sydney Opera House as an important setting that enriches the events described and the relationships between the characters.

Ultimately, references to the Sydney Opera House in films and books not only emphasize its importance as a symbol of the city, but also inspire the creation of stories that gain intensity thanks to the presence of this unique place.

Summary

The Sydney Opera House is not only one of Australia's most important tourist attractions, but also an icon of architecture and engineering. Its impressive size, innovative technical solutions and rich history make it a unique place in many respects. A visit to the Sydney Opera House is an unforgettable experience that allows you to understand why this building is so important to Australia and the world. Regardless of whether you are a lover of art, architecture or simply a seeker of unusual places, the Sydney Opera House will certainly provide you with many unforgettable experiences.