The Sydney Opera House is an icon of Sydney. The design was said to have transformed a country’s identity. Being on the most famous buildings known for is ingenuity it is sad knowledge that the brilliant architect behind this had never seen it to completion. But more importantly we as a nation were robbed of the original masterpiece it really is. Political drama had caused the resignation of Jeorn Utzon and the handing over of the plans and decision making to company Arups. Utzon’s remarkable vision was destroyed. Some of the factors were due to lack of communication and changing of governments, no specific brief, money issues and an unrealistic dead-line.
Joern Utzon had an amazing vision of having prefabricated parts created from geometrical shapes. With the limited brief he received from the NSW government and the many ever changing demands, he was always compromising his original message. Just how the roof was an inspiration the interior roof was inspired from natural form of clouds. The seating arrangements were changed which compromised the idea behind the stage. A conventional stage operates left to right [horizontal] but Utzon had the idea of trying something new. He wanted to try and experiment with the stage circulation going top to bottom [vertical]. There were so many ideas which were binned because of political commotion.
The reason for my choice is that this is an amazing piece of architecture; it pushed the boundaries of architectural technologies around the world. Australia’s icon was the reason for architectural push in the 1960’s. Joern Utzon had a vision that never saw complete; it would be like seeing a childhood dreamland come alive. This was a masterpiece, his baby and dream; he lived it for the rest of his career making sketches to the interior as long as he is alive.
What better way to remember the mastery of this architect; that is to see his original vision before us in 3D mode, to create it and explore it. With such a controversial political involvement it would be exciting to model the interiors specified by Utzon in the beginning.
“Having designed the Opera House and having worked on this project for the past nine years, I have naturally been anxious to see it through o completion, and without going into detail I think it should be assumed in my f avour that I would not lightly have resigned…”[1] [Utzon]
1 comment:
We discussed the issues concerning the idea. Although a great challenge it is quiet large to cope even with 5 group members. And doing justice with such a great work as the opera house will be a challenge.
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