Sydney Opera House

8 Sept 2024

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As we are leaving the City in a couple of months, we have started our bucket list of things to do before. This weekend we took a 1 hour guided tour in the famous Sydney Opera House.

It all started with a big international design competition in the '50 won by the genius Danish architect Jorn Utzon. The project faced a lot of challenges and the construction took over 17 years, with completion and grand opening in 1973. The Opera House became quickly the most famous icon of Australia and World Heritage listed.

Today, more than 50 years later, this building still looks so modern and innovative.

Having visited I am more impressed than ever!

The Shells

There are 14 shells on the Sydney Opera House. They were inspired by the shape of sea shells and the maritime history of the city of Sydney and the Sydney Harbour. However, they proved difficult to build and it is said that Jorn Utzen solved the puzzle of how to construct their shape while peeling a mandarin.

The glazing is mirroring the harbour, and you couldn`t feel more connected with the surrounding waters.

The Tiles

In total, there are 1,056,006 tiles on the roof. Utzon wanted the shells to contrast with the deep blue of Sydney Harbour and the clear blue of the Australian sky. The tiles needed to be gloss but not be so mirror-like to cause glare. Three years of work by Höganäs of Sweden produced the effect Utzon wanted. Tiles were placed face down in one of 26 chevron shaped beds each with a base shaped to match the curve of the roof. 

The Halls

Completely detached from the outer shells, you find inside completely independent halls build from native wood in impressive shapes designed to optimize the sound and acoustics.

The Concert hall is the biggest one, covered by the 8 biggest shells, followed by a slightly smaller Opera Hall.

The podium of the Opera is rotating to change the scenes during performances, and also a lift to the lower level.

Now we really should attend a live concert.

To be continued!