Sydney Opera House declared World Heritage.
-
@unknownuser said:
THE Opera House has been declared a World Heritage site and a masterpiece of 20th century architecture.
It takes its place alongside the Taj Mahal, the Acropolis and the Pyramids as cultural sites of outstanding universal value. The building is the youngest on the list and only the second by a living architect.
Its Danish architect, Joern Utzon, who has never seen his finished masterpiece, said he was honoured by the inclusion which gave the building new value. "For an architect and for all the people who have worked on it [this recognition gives us] the real feeling of what we are here for."
pretty amazing stuff considering Utzon had no idea how to build it when he won the competition.
cheers
john -
That's great news John. Its one
of my favourites.Mike
-
I'm not an architect. I'm an archaeologist. So I'm glad that my town (more exactly the some of the Roman archaeological stuff here) is on "the list" too.
But to see the Sydney Opera House there is good. When I was about 5 or 10 years old, I already knew it. Cool. Good news - thanks.
-
unfortunately due to the breakdown betweent Utzon and the Sydney Council Utzon's interiors were never built and as a result the opera theater never worked well and everyone hated it. Similarly with the main performance hall., the acoustics were awful.
There are plans to rebuild the opera theater to Utzon's original design. That will be interesting.
cheers
john -
Wow, imagine that, a world heritage...
What I keep picturing is the blokes clients from now on asking him why he charges what he does and him just pointing to a picture of the Sydney Opera House (with the words "World Heritage Site" below) as the answer...
-
John, is it true that he has never set foot inside the building before either?
-
Yes - he's never seen the finished building. After the run in with the Sydney Council he left the country and has never returned.
Structurally the building pioneered new techniques. It's the first building to precast sections, lift them into place and glue them together with aradite. As the sails rose they were tied back with tensile steel cable, also a first in construction. I watched it grow - amazing.
They plan to refurbish the interior at a cost of $700 million!! Part of the expense is lowering the floor (into the sandstone base) to allow for a fullsized orchestra pit.
cheers
john -
$700 million!!
-
yup Eric - imagine how many opera houses you could build for that
BTW the opera house was built using a lottery to raise the funds. maybe we need a new lottery.
-
$700 million. Maybe you Australians need to elect practical decision makers. Sure the building has 'iconic' status --- but the reality is it has that and will continue to have that even if it has lousy acoustics.
Here's an eye-opener: In Toronto, the Skydome sports stadium cost $600 million to build in 1989. Last year it sold for "fair market value" -- just $25 million! The reason is it is a liability that has been losing its past owners money every year. There has been talk in Montreal that perhaps the most appropriate thing to do with the $1 billion+ Olympic Stadium is to tear it down. Sounds like Canadians are more practical than our Australian friends.
Regards, Ross
-
Fair point Ross. If they turned it into an exhibition center it would probably make money!
-
@ross macintosh said:
$700 million. Maybe you Australians need to elect practical decision makers.
That's the trouble Ross - we have. They can see a payoff here - in more than just cold cash [tourism] and prestige. Opera is an elitist 'sport'.
It's something the politicians can point to and take their bows - rather than investing in the intangible aspects of health, education and policing - ie the quantity and quality training of medical staff, teachers and police. Spending money in these areas is regarded as money down the drain.
What voters can't actually see or measure they don't value.
A cursory encounter with a nurse, teacher or policeman doesn't give a layperson in-depth insight into their standard of competence. To attract highly motivated, intelligent and dedicated recruits to these non-profit public service areas would blow their meager budgets. Unlike 50 years ago these areas are now attracting the lower end of university graduates many of whom would not have been accepted as students by these same universities 50 years ago.
Don't you worry - the $700 million [Australian] will have been well and truly covered. The bean-counters will have done their work. This will make money over time. It's a one off - unlike health, education and security which just grow and grow and are never ending.
-
$700 Mil might sound like a lot, but when you consider that the existing interior also has to be removed, without damage to the structure, and the fact that it is a government project with all it's inherent burocracy, that's probably not a bad figure.
Advertisement