Sydney Opera House: Utzon's Design (1957)
by Anonymous
The Sydney Opera House competition received 233 entries. Eero Saarinen championed Jørn Utzon's radical sail-roof design, which was initially rejected by the other judges. The building became a world icon but went 1,400% over budget.
Utzon's Sail Design
1957
year
Radical — interlocking concrete shells
design approach
Nearly impossible — took 16 years
buildability
Chosen — UNESCO World Heritage Site, Australian icon
outcome
Conventional Concert Hall
1957
year
Traditional box-style theater
design approach
Straightforward
buildability
Not chosen — 232 conventional entries rejected
outcome
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