nomination by the Government of Australia - Sydney Opera House

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The setting of Bennelong Point and Sydney Harbour
forms an intrinsic part of the outstanding universal
value of the Sydney Opera House. Utzon’s design
is a sensitive and brilliant response to the landscape
creating a grand urban sculpture with its platform and
cave-like shells that invite inhabitation. Utzon used
architecture to create a unique landscape form. Sydney
Harbour is one of the world’s most magnifi cent harbours
and the design produces wonderful vistas that are
experienced both from inside and outside the building.
The Sydney Opera House is of outstanding universal
value for its achievements in structural engineering
and building technology. Utzon’s genius is evident
in his experimental methodology and work style
which were inextricably linked to his radical design.
His approach helped to inspire engineering solutions
and technological innovations that were necessary
to transform the initial design into a reality. The
construction of the gigantic podium and the
unprecedented and complex shell structure with
ceramic tile cladding and hanging glass walls were all
exceptional technological triumphs. They were made
possible by the pioneering of new building methods and
machinery and innovative structural engineering analysis
and testing using new computerised technology and
processes. These feats enabled Utzon’s radical design
concept to become a reality. The Sydney Opera House
represents one of the most demanding and innovative
structures in modern architecture.
Figure 3.34 The Sydney Opera House is a signifi cant work
of structural engineering and technology.
The Sydney Opera House is an exceptional
representative of late Modernism that was evolving at
the time. It endures as one of the world’s most highly
acclaimed buildings of that architectural trend. Utzon’s
design was a most signifi cant step in the history of
modern architecture. The Sydney Opera House exudes
creativity, emotion and feeling along with its spectacular
sculptural, functional and powerful geometric forms.
The Sydney Opera House is an outstanding example
of 20th century cultural heritage. Its power to fascinate
and excite is universal and it belongs to the world
as a great artistic monument and an iconic building.
The Sydney Opera House has become a building
that inspires and delights people around the world
and attracts people to explore its many remarkable
features. It could be seen as making a contribution to
architecture as an expression of universal culture. Like
the Finnish master Alvar Aalto, Utzon created a building
that is accessible to society at large. The Sydney Opera
House has been infl uential in architecture with others
striving to replicate its success.
Figure 3.35 The powerful geometric forms of the Sydney
Opera House
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