Artist’s impression of renewed Concert Hall; supplied
Australia’s most famous building has been slated for renewal for some time; now it the facelift s a step closer to becoming a reality.
Today the NSW Government committed $202 million from the Cultural Infrastructure Fund to the Renewal Plans of the Sydney Opera House (SOH).
The working designs for the largest program of upgrades to the House since it opened in 1973, were unveiled by NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts, Troy Grant.
Four NSW Government-funded projects were revealed in today’s designs. The plans include:- Upgrade the acoustics, accessibility, efficiency and flexibility of the Opera House’s largest internal performance space, the Concert Hall. It is expected to take 18 months to complete. Construction will begin in mid-2019 and the hall will reopen with the SSO’s 2021 season.
- Transform office space into a new Creative Learning Centre, a dedicated place for children, families and young people;
- Remove the existing intrusive marquee from the Northern Broadwalk, and build a premium Function Centre within the building envelope, with spectacular views of the harbour; and
- Create a welcoming, car-free entrance under the Monumental Steps, and improve access to a more comfortable and inviting main foyer.
Artist’s impression of Creative Learning Centre; supplied
In addition to the government-funded projects first stage of Renewal also includes a $45 million self-funded project to replace the ‘engine’ in the Opera House’s second-largest internal performance space, the Joan Sutherland Theatre (JST).
Announced in June 2015, the Theatre Machinery Project will improve the safety and reliability of the JST, which will close from May to December next year, during construction.
Minister Grant said: ‘The Sydney Opera House is the symbol of modern Australia. It is our responsibility as custodians of this extraordinary place to maintain and renew it for all Australians.’
Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron added: ‘The Opera House has exceeded everyone’s expectations, from the scale, range and intensity of performances and events to the wide variety of visitors it attracts from around the world.
‘So much of what the Opera House does today could not have been envisaged when it was first conceived and built. It is crucial that as we work through these Renewal projects we respect our incredible heritage,’ she added.
Proposed new Northern Foyer Passageway; supplied
Jan Utzon, architect and member of the Opera House’s Eminent Architects Panel (EAP), said his father believed the building would need to change over time to meet the requirements of the day, while retaining the integrity of its architecture.
‘When my father was re-engaged to look into the Opera House, he realised it was necessary to look at the Opera House with new eyes,’ said Utzon, who worked with his father after Jørn’s re-engagement in 1999.
‘He realised times had changed and that a functioning arts centre will always need to adapt to the culture of the moment.’
A Deloitte Access Economics report in 2013, accounted the national-identity value of the Opera House at $4.6 billion. 8.2 million people visit SOH each year and contributes $775 million annually to the NSW economy.
