nomination by the Government of Australia - Sydney Opera House

3.45
3.D INTEGRITY AND AUTHENTICITY
The Sydney Opera House meets the test of integrity
and authenticity as required under the Operational
guidelines (UNESCO 2005) and described in the Nara
document on authenticity (UNESCO 1995).
3.D (i) Statement of integrity
The conditions of integrity of the Sydney Opera House
and its attributes of wholeness and intactness fulfi l the
requirements in the Operational guidelines (paragraph
87). All elements necessary to express its outstanding
universal value are included within the boundaries of
the nominated site and buffer zone. This will ensure
the complete representation of its signifi cance as an
architectural object of great beauty in its waterscape
setting. The buffer zone will retain the relationship
between the Sydney Opera House and its setting
that has been identifi ed as contributing to its World
Heritage values. National legislation also protects the
Sydney Opera House from any future activity that could
adversely affect its National Heritage or World Heritage
values regardless of where that activity might be.
All elements of the property that contribute to its
heritage signifi cance have been identifi ed and policies
developed to sustain their signifi cance into the future.
The physical fabric of the property is in good condition,
the impact of deterioration processes is controlled (see
Parts 4 and 5) and the dynamic processes present in
the building as an active, living place are maintained
(UNESCO 2005: paragraph 88).
Figure 3.45 View to the Utzon Room at night, with Utzons’
tapestry, 2004
3.D (ii) Statement of authenticity
The outstanding universal value of the Sydney
Opera House is that it represents a masterpiece of
human creative genius. The heritage values of the
property specifi ed under criterion (i) are truthfully and
credibly expressed through its attributes. Extensive
documentation is available on the construction of
the property to the present day and the people who
were directly involved in the building’s creation are
accessible today. The re-engagement of Utzon to
write design principles for the ongoing conservation of
the property is unique and affords the opportunity to
maintain the authenticity of the Sydney Opera House to
an extraordinary extent. The Conservation Plan (SOH)
has been directly infl uenced by and tested against the
architect’s vision and the spirit of the design, material
and substance of the building (see Parts 4.A and 4.E).
Also, Utzon as the creator understands the building as
others see it, in its historical context.
Form and design
This nomination proposes that the Sydney Opera
House is a masterpiece of human creative genius. This
genius was primarily attributable to Utzon but was also
the collective ingenuity of engineers, builders, other
architects and manufacturers. Utzon designed and
supervised the construction of the podium, stairs and
the shells, which together establish the spectacular
exterior and interior form and structure of the building.
Utzon together with Ove Arup & Partners conceived the
system of precast concrete ribs for the shells and the
matt and gloss interlocking glazed tiles.
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