Monday 19 October 2020

1957: Jorn Utzon wins the Opera House Architectural Competition

Photo taken by the Author (2019).

This week, the Sydney Opera House turns 47. It cost $100 million to build and 14 years to build.

Below is the front page of The Sydney Morning Herald dated from January 30, 1957. The previous day, Danish architect Jorn Utzon beat 221 other entrants to win the design competition. His win also included a cash prize of 5000 pounds ($10 000).




The runners up also feature in the article. 

Last year, The Guardian published artists impressions of some of the unsuccessful entries. I've had a look and none of them would match Utzons design. It was a very good decision. Sticking to the literal design was impossible for engineering reasons but the refinements made hit the mark and the effect was still the same!!!

It is one of the best buildings built globally in the modern age. This proves Sydney can get it right with architectural designs. We just need people with vision to make it happen!!!! 

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