Sydney Opera House Architecture | Design, Construction & Controversies

Danish architect Jørn Utzon wins the international competition with a sail-inspired design. Original interiors were undefined, allowing flexibility for performance spaces. Utzon imagined plywood mullions instead of glass walls.

Construction began with the podium, then shells, then interiors. Structural challenges arose; podium columns had to be rebuilt. Early computers modeled complex forces on the shells.

Roof design finalized after wind tunnel tests at Southampton & the National Physical Laboratory. Hornibrook Group manufactured 4,000 panels and 2,400 ribs for the sails. Iconic sails took shape, defining Sydney’s skyline.

Minister Davis Hughes criticized costs, delays, and practicality. Funding withheld; Utzon resigned in frustration. Peter Hall took over to lead Phase III.

Acoustician Lothar Cremer advised major changes for better sound. The Concert Hall became single-purpose; smaller halls and theatres were added. Original plywood mullions replaced with glass walls. Modular construction methods and careful engineering solved unprecedented technical challenges.

Phase III was completed under Peter Hall, delivering the final interiors. The Opera House became a global icon, blending artistic vision and structural innovation.