nomination by the Government of Australia - Sydney Opera House

Figure 10.6
1902
Fort Macquarie is replaced by a tram shed
designed in a fortified Gothic style (to continue
the picturesque associations of the site).
Figure 10.6 View down Macquarie Street to
the tram shed at Bennelong Point
Figure 10.7 Figure 10.8 Figure 10.9 Figure 10.10 Figure 10.11
1932
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is opened.
1948
Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Sydney
Symphony Orchestra, proposes the building of
a performing arts centre on Bennelong Point
with an auditorium to seat up to 4000 people.
1952
New South Wales Premier Cahill announces
his newly elected Government’s intention to
build an opera house.
1954
Premier Cahill appoints the Opera House
Committee to advise on building an opera
house. The committee recommends the
redundant Bennelong Point tram shed
and park as the preferred site and that an
international competition be held to select
the design.
Figure 10.7 The Sydney Harbour Bridge
nearing completion
1956
The New South Wales Government announces the international competition for
the design of a national opera house to be built on Bennelong Point. Mandatory
requirements are a major hall to seat 3000 to 3500 persons for grand opera, ballet
and concerts and a minor hall to seat approximately 1200 persons for chamber
works and drama.
1957
Danish architect Jørn Utzon is declared the unanimous winner of the competition
with his visionary design that amazes both the architectural fraternity and the
public. Utzon visits the site for the first time then begins work on plans in Denmark
in collaboration with Ove Arup & Partners. The New South Wales Government
announces the Opera House Lottery to fund construction. Over 16 years the lottery
raises more than 90 per cent of the A$102 million ultimately expended on building
the Sydney Opera House.
1958
The foundation stone is laid by Premier Cahill (the stone is now positioned
on the first landing of the great ceremonial stairway). Utzon and Ove Arup
& Partners begin testing concepts for the construction of the roof shells.
1959
Construction of the Sydney Opera House begins at Premier Cahill’s insistence
before Utzon’s designs for the vaulted shells are finalised. This requires the full
extent of the functions of the complex to be worked out as the project materialises.
Construction begins with the removal of over 30 000 cubic metres of rock and
rubble from Bennelong Point.
1959–1963
The foundations and podium are constructed by building contractor Civil & Civic.
1961
The Sydney Opera House Trust is
established by Act of the New South
Wales Parliament. Utzon and Ove Arup
& Partners achieve the ‘spherical solution’
for the roof shells after three years of
concept development.
1962–1967
Stage 2: design and construction of the shells with building contractor the
Hornibrook Group takes place. Cost and time overruns in the construction
of the Sydney Opera House cause tension and public discussion.
1965
A newly elected government takes office in New South Wales with
an agenda to limit the construction cost and time overruns.
1966
Jørn Utzon leaves the project and departs from Sydney. The podium has been
built, the roof shells are almost completed and the first roof tiles are in place.
Majority public opinion overwhelmingly supports Utzon’s re-engagement and public
meetings are held to protest his departure. The New South Wales Government
appoints Sydney architects Peter Hall, Lionel Todd and David Littlemore to take
over the design and supervision of the Sydney Opera House, with Hall having
responsibility for design. Ove Arup & Partners, the Hornibrook Group and other
tradespeople continue on the project. Following Utzon’s departure, a new brief
from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (the premier commercial user of the
venue) necessitates major changes to the design of the interiors of the two halls.
Figure 10.8 Jørn Utzon (third from the left) at the Sydney Opera House site in 1957 Figure 10.9 The podium under construction Figure 10.10 Jørn Utzon with the
spherical model for the shells
Figure 10.11 The Sydney Opera House takes shape