"The craftsmanship of The Colonnade and niches is absolutely first class and certainly up to the standard expected in Sydney Opera House." Jørn Utzon 2006
In 2006, The Colonnade along the Western, Harbour Bridge side of Sydney Opera House was completed. This was the first external change to the building since opening in 1973.
The 45 metre long and five metre wide Colonnade creates a beautiful entrance for patrons of The Studio, Playhouse and Drama Theatre, and has opened these foyers to the building's beautiful harbour setting.
Nine openings were created - six new large deep set windows and three doors. With over fifty percent of the façade becoming glass, these foyers are now flooded with natural light and for the first time patrons can enjoy water and city views - one of Utzon's key principles in his original design for Sydney Opera House.
The Colonnade was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on March 13 2006 in an event that importantly recognised the building's visionary architect, Jørn Utzon.
Project Information
Architects
Jørn and Jan Utzon of Utzon Architects, Richard Johnson of Johnson Pilton Walker (architects in collaboration).
The initial concept proposal was developed by Jørn Utzon with Johnson Pilton Walker, Sydney based architectural firm predominantly responsible for co-ordinating consultant input, presentations and approval processes.
Collaboration between Utzon Architects and Johnson Pilton Walker was facilitated through working sessions in Denmark and Sydney, frequent electronic interchange of drawings and information and regular telephone contact.
The process of collaboration continued throughout the project including the involving the production of models, material samples, component prototypes and full size prototypes. This process ensured the full and critical involvement of Jørn Utzon throughout all stages of the project and an outcome crafted in line with his original concept.
Background
When Utzon left the project in 1966, no venues were planned for the area now known as the Western Venues (Drama Theatre, Playhouse and The Studio).
Utzon had envisaged that the major hall under the largest shell would be the Opera Theatre with the area beneath as back of house space (i.e. scenery dock) for the theatre.
When he left the project, the uses of the major and minor halls were swapped, with the major hall being developed as the Concert Hall with no need for these back of house facilities. This area was instead developed into two theatres - the Playhouse (then known as the Cinema) and the Drama Theatre and a recording studio. The Recording Studio was later reconfigured as a theatre now known as The Studio.
As none of these theatres had been planned by Utzon, they did not satisfy one of his key principles when designing the building - that patrons would always have a sense of the building's stunning harbourside setting.
Designer's philosophy
When Utzon returned to work for Sydney Opera House he was asked to consider possibilities for how to provide the Western theatres with a similar setting to that of the Concert Hall and Opera Theatre.
Although it was possible to create openings from the foyers to the Broadwalk, this would have conflicted with one of Utzon's other key design principles that the heavy solid podium has a minimal number of openings breaking its heaviness, so the podium provides a contrast with the light soaring white sails above.
Utzon, in trying to resolve these seemingly conflicting principles, looked to one of his original inspirations in designing the Sydney Opera House podium with its giant staircase - the Mayan temples of Mexico, and in particular the Temple of the Warrior at Chichen Itza in Yucatan.
With this temple, there are rows of columns surrounding the stepped temple. These were previously roofed.
This Colonnade gave Utzon the idea, and the architectural permission, to create a similar structure alongside the podium. The Colonnade would provide shading for the openings, therefore maintaining his original design intent.
The nine openings are designed to relate to the external precast granite façade. The proportion, detail and depth reinforce the solidity of the building.
The new loggia of heavy columns, precast granite beams, roof and panel cladding made of similar materials to the podium visually merges the new Colonnade into the existing building.
The Colonnade creates deep shadowing and a visual bulk reducing the effects of the new openings on the sense of solidity of the podium.
Materials, finishes and products
The walls and ceilings are made from precast concrete and granite claddings, the windows and window treatments are glazed glass with bronze frames and the doors are glazed glass with bronze frames.
Project team
Client Representative: Sydney Opera House Building Development
Group Project Manager: CGP Management Pty Ltd
Time schedule
Design, documentation: 9 months
Construction of the f
oundations: 3 months
Construction of the Colonnade and openings: 12 months
Project cost:
$6million
Builder:
St Hillier's Contracting Ltd.
Others
Heritage Impact Statement: James Semple Kerr
Mechanical & electrical services: Steensen Varming Pty Ltd
Fire and hydraulics services: Warren Smith & Partners
Fire Engineering: Arup Fire
Structural Engineering: Arup Structural
BCA: Advance Building Approvals
Quantity Surveyor: Rider Hunt Sydney Pty Ltd
Window Glazing: Arup Façade
Acoustic: Arup Acoustic