Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous and iconic buildings, built in XX century. It was only built in the last century, which stands alongside such great architectural symbols such as Big Ben, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower. Along with the Taj Mahal and the Hagia Sophia, the building belongs to the highest cultural achievements of mankind in the last millennium. In 2007 he was included in the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage. It realized theater, ballet, opera and other musical productions. It is home to Opera Australia, the Sydney Theatre and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Management is in the hands of the Opera House Trust, a public body under the control of the Department of Arts of New South Wales.E theater located in the city on the Gulf Benelong Cape Point. Initially, this place stood a small fort and later depot. Located near the harbor and the Harbour Bridge to the bridge. By building this bridge, the Opera is one of the biggest attractions of the city. Indeed, the Harbour Bridge deservedly enjoys great fame. Its length is 1150 meters, the distance between adjacent arches - 503 m, the distance between the highest point of the structure and the surface is 135 meters - a true architectural wonder.
The creation of the Opera, later became famous throughout Australia, takes place very difficult. Pains that accompany the construction process are not only of technological nature. About financing the construction project selection contest and even options for the use of individual rooms, such passions are running high and clashes that some even grow into true political scandals in Sydney Opera House.
How it all started? In 1947, English conductor Eugene Gusens, director of the Music Conservatory offers the citizens of Sydney to build an opera palace. Probably the author himself on this great idea does not have imagined how it will develop events to his idea, he gives only cultural significance. Persuasive speech on the radio, causing the activity of citizens and not long after the Committee has been established to support the idea to build an opera house. On May 17, 1955, the Government of New South Wales State authorized to implement the idea, provided that construction does not use state funds.In the first half of XX century Australia is a rich country and the amount of $ 7 million to as much as originally estimated the project is impossible for the state budget. One of the parliamentarians has a negative attitude towards the proposal of Eugene Gusens even one of the ears of lawmakers called the theater's future "home for dance parties and " which fully explains the reluctance of government to listen for "reckless expenditure of budgetary funds". "Let the citizens, lovers of gambling, give money not to rig the street, and the Fund for the construction of the Sydney Opera House" - the post of Prime Minister of Australia is crucial to determine how to raise the necessary funds. Organized "Theatre" lottery, which provides the necessary money to start construction.
Gusens not only gives an idea of creating an opera in Sydney, but the issue persists and where to deploy it. The conductor insisted the building to rise on the peninsula Bennelong Point, the port of Sydney. This is in complete contradiction with the opinion of Prime Minister Cahill, who wants the new building to be located near the railway station in the northwestern part of town. Benelong is a little peninsula called the name of the aborigines, establish contacts between locals and Commander Fleet and first governor of New Wales, Arthur Phillip in Sydney Opera House.Contest was announced on September 13, 1955 award of 100,000 dollars attracted 880 applications from 45 countries. Admitted to the final 233 projects from 32 countries, which are formed in accordance with the requirements of the organizers. The criteria include a minimum of a large hall with a capacity of 3,000 seats and a small hall with 1200 seats. Each of them must have the necessary space for large opera performances, orchestral concerts, various performances for conferences, meetings, meetings, etc.
But then a significant reduction in the number of participants, the choice is not so easy. Moreover, at the last moment the inspire of the conductor Eugene Gusens venture, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, found himself at odds with government representatives. A little later he was accused of smuggling pornographic material. When checking the Australian airport baggage of musicians have found items of "black magic", including rubber masks in the shape of genitalia. But the truth of these things has nothing to do with the recommendations made accusations. During his stay in Sydney, Gusens attend meetings of the lovers of black magic. The musician says he is the victim of blackmail and ritual accessories that are thrown. He not only fined a large sum, but was forced to resign as conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and returned to England.
After the scandal of the post of chairman of the committee is appointed by the Finnish American origin Eero Saarinen, as "the last great American architect." After examining the entries, the new president started concentrating on the project by the Danish architect Jorn Utson whose work is interesting, bold and packed with innovative architectural elements. When the winner in 1957, the fore the problem of translating the ideas of the young Dane in a real building. The most interesting is that Utson develop your project without ever having been to Austria, using photographs of Sydney. At the core of the project lie architectural traditions of the temples of the Mayans and Aztecs, who considered the author for his stay in Mexico. Years later he said that the idea for the unusual roof has been collected from cut orange.In July 1964 Utson Jorn said: "At the heart of the Sydney Opera House project lies a desire to lift people from the world of everyday routine in the fantasy world they inhabit musicians and actors."
At first glance, the idea of the author is simple. The complex should consist of a platform in which to "vrezhat" two rooms amphitheater. Over the design must rise lightweight white arches, shells, to give the aerial facility and uniqueness. But this project sets a new beginning in the architecture of XX century.
Sydney Opera House Construction and finishing operations are carried out in three stages. The first, from 1959 to 1963, stands on the podium building. From 1963 to 1967 and built the external arches during the third phase, from 1967 to 1973, carry out the internal layout. According to preliminary plans, the amount needed for construction is $ 7 million, Ultimately, however, is much greater.
Upon completion of the Opera calculate the final value of money and they exceed 14 times more than originally envisaged. In stage three inputs are distributed approximately as follows - the first to invest 5.5 million dollars in the second - about 12.5 million dollars, the third most absorbing a large amount - 56.5 million Equipping the scenes , light body and cost about 9 million, additional equipment - another 16.5 million dollars. So the total value reaches about 102 million dollars.Work on the foundations began in 1959 and four years later completed the bulk of the building. The most complicated turns building the roof. Until now, the world is not build anything like that. The roof structure consists of 2000 concrete sections lined with ceramic tiles. Of course, this remarkable configuration is not created overnight. Construction is accompanied by numerous disagreements. The most serious concern the raising of eaves, the original project was redrafted. The situation is complicated by the fact that the majority of construction materials not produced in Australia and have their imports which greatly increases costs. A raising of new funds - investors are looking for pre-sold parts of the inner area of the Opera. This leads to constantly changing the initial concept.
Endless arguments about how and how to properly build this extraordinary building, how to plan the construction of the main site, what materials to choose, etc., as well as financial failures, and clearly expressed distrust of the author to make Utson resigned in 1966 architect is so bitter and hurt that does not participate in official opening of the Opera on October 20, 1973, held in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.
The original project was revised several times. After leaving Jorn Utson with the management of construction to take four Australian architects, considered among the best in the country. With computers and special algorithms started calculating how to reduce errors and resolve technical problems in construction of concrete panels on the roof. It is clear that large "sails" can not be constructed and finished so as conceived by Utson. In 1967 the roof was completed, but remains a huge interior space, which should give the type and shape. For the overall construction and design of the building are needed 14 years.
Opera is a radically innovative building design. It consists of a large number of panels that resemble prefabricated shells (shells), which form the arches of the structure. The facility is located in an area of 1.8 hectares. Its length is 183 meters, the most extensive part of the width is about 120 m is based on 580 pillars, fastened to a depth of 25 meters below sea level. The building is supplied with electrical power equal to consumption of a town with 25,000 inhabitants. Electricity flows through 645 km. cables.
The roof is lined with 1.056 million tiles in white and beige, made in Sweden. In clear sunny days, they shine with iridescent colors. Seen from a distance look white. They are made so that it is self-cleaning, but necessary and periodic cleaning, maintenance and replacement of trim.
What is the result of the construction "Marathon"? Amazing concrete roof, resembling a giant blown by wind sails. The burden of 161,000 tons stands 67 meters high above the massive plinth of the theater, as if emerging from the sea. The shape of the roof does not provide for the necessary level of concert hall acoustics, so the internal parts are made of wooden panels that reflect sound. During the performances, to improve the quality of the acoustic ceiling of the stage sound reflecting screens descend from organic glass.
In architectural design of the Opera are three areas: roof, floor skirting, where are located the offices and equipment, and numerous concert halls and theater lobby uniting them.
Two large groups roof arches rise accordingly over the Concert Hall and Opera House above. The other top salons have as groups of smaller arches. The shape of the shell is selected to render the internal structure. It rises from the lower parts of the inputs on areas for spectators to the highest lodges.
A group of much smaller system of shells is located on the side of the entrance, monumental staircase and restaurants Benelong. Although these structural elements of opera to be called "shell", by their nature they are not in complete arches architectural sense, more panels are tasked to maintain the unusual structure with a system of prefabricated ribs.
The interior of the building is made of pink granite Australian produced in the region of Tara, trim of wood veneer and New South Wales. The style of interior design is known as "Space Gothic".
As the number of theater halls include the Concert Hall with 2679 seats. It is a magnificent body of the Opera. This is the largest mechanical organ in the world, consisting of 10,500 pipes. The curtain on the stage called "Veil of Sun and Moon" is a project created by Australian Cober and is made in France in the style of carpets Obyuson. This is the largest curtain of the world. Each of the two halves and has an area of 93 square meters
The second largest room in the building is the Opera House with 1,547 seats. This is the main place of "action" of the opera company in Australia and is also used by the Australian Ballet Company.
Hall of Drama Theatre (with 544 seats), Music Hall, 398 seats and the Studio Theatre (364 seats) are smaller halls of the Opera.
The building is multifunctional - except for theater, ballet and opera performances, the building is used for other activities: weddings, banquets and conferences. For these events are provided for smaller rooms, restaurants, cafes, bookstore, rehearsal halls, dressing rooms and dressing rooms, administrative offices, a "green zone" for artists and staff (including bar, dining room and recreation room) floor with technical means , appliances, air conditioning, electrical and other installations that support activities in the building. Opera in general there are more than 800 individual rooms and halls. The building has over 2,200 doors.
In 2006 he opened a new wing of the Opera. Addition to the exterior of the Opera House passage is 45 meters long, lined with granite, built in draft Utson Jorn. The architect, winner of "Pritskar" (2003) considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in architecture, not present at this celebration.
Although it has its fierce opponents, Sydney Opera House is undoubtedly one of the architectural masterpieces of our time, one of the main attractions and most famous symbol of Australia. It is unlike any other building. And fully explain the fact that the only building of XX century, which entered the list with 21 new wonders of the world.
