Building a Masterpiece The Sydney Opera House

by Watson, Anne; Watson, Richard; Geddes, Robert; Drew, Philip; Taffs, David; Connell, Matthew; Nutt, John; Nobis, Philip; Gregson, Sarah; Hale, Patricia

• ISBN13: 9780853319412
• ISBN10: 0853319413
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-28
• Publisher: Lund Humphries

Summary

This richly illustrated book will explore new perspectives on the Sydney Opera House's many stories, encompassing technological and social history, as well as design themes. Through ten engaging essays, written by eminent authors and experts in their fields, Building a Masterpiece explores the history of the Opera House from the international design competition 1957, through the extraordinary innovations involved in and the saga of its construction, to its opening in October 1973 and its current world status as a symbol of Australia.

Table of Contents

Words from the Powerhouse Museum and the Sydney Opera House	p. 6
Foreword	p. 7
Timeline	p. 8
Introduction	p. 10
Monumental appeal: reflections on the Sydney Opera House	p. 20
An opera house for Sydney: genesis and conclusion of a competition	p. 38
Second thoughts: reflections on winning second prize	p. 56
Poetic paradox: Utzon's sources for the Sydney Opera House	p. 68
Computers and the Opera House: pioneering a new technology	p. 84
Constructing a legacy: technological innovation and achievements	p. 104
Who built the Opera House?	p. 122
'Great strength with extreme lightness': Utzon's use of plywood	p. 136
Bring Utzon back: the protest that divided a profession	p. 152
'A masterpiece of human creative genius': recognition, reconciliation and heritage conservation	p. 168
Selected bibliography	p. 182
Picture credits	p. 184
Acknowledgments	p. 185
About the authors	p. 186
About the Powerhouse Museum	p. 187
Index	p. 188
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.