nomination by the Government of Australia - Sydney Opera House

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Part 3. Justifi cation for inscription
3.48
Location and setting, spirit and meaning
The Sydney Opera House is surrounded on three sides
by a vibrant, busy harbour, which provides a natural
safeguard from development of its waterscape setting.
Immediately behind the Sydney Opera House are the
Royal Botanic Gardens, the city’s ‘green lung’ and an
important backdrop to the site when viewed from the
water. These aspects of the location are discussed in
Part 4.
The history and associations of the harbour setting
and the exceptional architectural quality of the podium
and shells form a pivotal sculptural role in Sydney
Harbour. As stated above, the integrity and authenticity
of this setting will be protected by the buffer zone and
by national protective legislation that is effective both
within and beyond the buffer zone. These protective
measures are detailed in Part 5. The Conservation Plan
(SOH) contains policies to ensure the conservation of
the setting and spirit. These policies protect the views
and vistas, the open and uncluttered setting and the
forecourt pedestrian and vehicle paths.
Figure 3.48 The buffer zone protects the setting of
the Sydney Opera House and ensures that it retains
its supremacy as the focal point of the city from key
vantage points.
Information sources
Extensive information sources are available on the
construction and changes to the property. International
and local expertise on the history and signifi cance of
the building is referenced throughout the nomination
and detailed in Part 7. The ability to engage the
building’s creator has provided unique opportunities
to authenticate the outstanding universal values of the
place and to integrate this vision into the management
framework for the building. Part 2.A provides
information on the adaptations to the property such as
the Drama Theatre, the Playhouse, the Studio and the
western loggia.