Even if they don’t know its name, its purpose, or its location, most people can see a picture of the Sydney Opera House and instantly recognize it as familiar. It is near the top of the list with other buildings such as the Empire State Building, Big Ben, and the Eiffel Tower as the most iconic structures in the world. However, even icons need some sprucing up now and again, and over the next four years, the Sydney Opera House is going to undergo some major renovations and upgrades.
Before anyone freaks out, rest assured, the roof of the building, its most iconic aspect, which resembles a grouping of sails or a stegosaurus’s back, will remain unchanged.
The Opera House renovations are expected to cost around $200 million. $150 million of that total will go towards upgrading the concert hall alone.
That may seem like a pretty hefty price tag for renovating an iconic, functioning building, but considering the Opera House generates about $775 million for the Australian economy each year, the improvements not only make sense, but will also be recouped in just a few months’ time. Plus, historically, the Sydney Opera House hasn’t been a structure that has shied away from a large price tag. Originally projected to cost $7 million to construct back in 1973, the total cost ended up at $102 million (according to the Reserve Bank of Australia, that equals $921,400,000 in 2016).
Main Concert Hall. Image Courtesy of Sydney Opera House
The renovation looks to tackle some of the major problems with the structure, such as the poor acoustical design of its main concert hall. Seeing as it is an opera house, bad acoustics are a major problem, one that stems from the very high ceiling being unable to reflect much of the sound coming from the orchestra back down. The solution to this problem is to add a new ceiling with sonic reflectors that will carry the sound much better. Additionally, the stage will be lowered and a new air conditioning system will be installed under the seating area. Construction of the Concert Hall upgrade is scheduled to begin in mid-2019 and take about 18 months to complete.
The Opera House’s second largest internal performance space, The Joan Sutherland Theatre, will also undergo a $45 million facelift and be closed for seven months in 2017.
Other renovations will focus on improving accessibility, efficiency, and flexibility by updating and improving technology and design elements that may have been innovative and trendy back in the early 70s, but are now extremely dated.
A smaller, more efficient cooling system will be installed throughout the building, the old exterior marquee will be removed, and a new entrance and foyer will be connected to an improved car-free entrance under the Monumental Steps to improve building access. New hallways, elevators, and an escalator will also be constructed to make navigating the Opera House simpler.
A new Function Center will be constructed to host social events and existing office space will be transformed into a Creative Learning Center for children.
While the renovations are not expected to finish until 2021, the Opera House will remain open during the project with certain areas closing while they are actively being renovated.
The Opera Houses’s Eminent Architects Panel is involved in the project and ARM Architecture is handling the redesign of the main concert hall.
A rendering of outside the new Function Center. Image Courtesy of Sydney Opera House
Inside the Function Center. Image Courtesy of Sydney Opera House
The Creative Learning Center. Image Courtesy of Sydney Opera House
Northern Foyer. Image Courtesy of Sydney Opera House.
Entry and Foyer. Image Courtesy of Sydney Opera House
Related Stories
| May 17, 2013
First look: HKS' multipurpose stadium for Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the Minnesota Vikings and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group have unveiled the design of the State’s new multi? purpose stadium in Minneapolis, a major milestone in getting the $975 million stadium built on time and on budget.
| May 16, 2013
Chicago unveils $1.1 billion plan for DePaul arena, Navy Pier upgrades
Hoping to send a loud message that Chicago is serious about luring tourism and entertainment spending, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has released details of two initiatives that have been developing for more than a year and that it says will mean $1.1 billion in investment in the McCormick Place and Navy Pier areas.
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Apr 24, 2013
Los Angeles may add cool roofs to its building code
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants cool roofs added to the city’s building code. He is also asking the Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to create incentives that make it financially attractive for homeowners to install cool roofs.
| Apr 2, 2013
6 lobby design tips
If you do hotels, schools, student unions, office buildings, performing arts centers, transportation facilities, or any structure with a lobby, here are six principles from healthcare lobby design that make for happier users—and more satisfied owners.
| Mar 29, 2013
PBS broadcast to highlight '10 Buildings That Changed America'
WTTW Chicago, in partnership with the Society of Architectural Historians, has produced "10 Builidngs That Changed America," a TV show set to air May 12 on PBS.
| Mar 22, 2013
8 cool cultural projects in the works
A soaring opera center in Hong Kong and a multi-tower music center in Calgary are among the latest cultural projects.
| Feb 25, 2013
10 U.S. cities with the best urban forests
Charlotte, Denver, and Milwaukee are among 10 U.S. cities ranked recently by the conservation organization American Forests for having quality urban forest programs.
| Feb 19, 2013
'Pop-up' proposal would create movable cultural venue for NYC
The Culture Shed, a proposed 170,000-sf project for New York City's Hudson Yards development, could be the ultimate in "pop-up" facilities.
| Feb 6, 2013
Arcadia (Calif.) High School opens $20 million performing arts center
A 60-year old wish for the community of Arcadia has finally come true with the opening of Arcadia Unified School District’s new $20 million Performing Arts Center.