Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Utzon's Genius




Both times that I had stood within close range of the Sydney Opera House, simply standing there in silence and beholding it, there was a strong yet indescribable emotion that tugged at my gut. This same syndrome happens to me each time I come across something or someone phenomenal.

Imagine having something as grand and imposing as that in your own country, something that would boost national pride and identity.

The Sydney Opera House, an arts complex, was done in the Modern Expressionist architectural style by Danish architect, Jorn Utzon. It has a solid concrete frame and a precast concrete ribbed roof, which is often referred to as "shells." Each of these shells that form the roof are taken from a hemisphere of the same structure.

It is one of the world's most distinctive 20th century buildings and was made a UNESCO world heritage sight in June 2007. Formal construction of the Opera House started in 1959. The project was built in three stages and was finally completed in 1973--14 years!

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