Customer Reviews

The Saga of Sydney Opera House: The Dramatic Story of the Design and Construction of the Icon of Modern Australia

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Everytime I see a picture of this building it never ceases to take my breath away: just a spectacular building. This book is fascinating, I really had no idea all the controversy involved in building this building, it just seems so perfect for its harbor perch. The images in this book are wonderful and the text is very interesting and easy to follow. I find it amazing that the architect has never actually seen his masterpiece, how does that happen? The design is brilliant and totally original. Every city wants an icon and Sydney is lucky enough to have two, this building and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and though each building is totally different in style, they are perfect foils for each other and they make the Sydney Harbor one of the most beautiful places on earth. Wonderful book on a spectacular building.

A tremendiious story about the complexities of creativity. As a retired architect, I bought the book because I realized that I was a little fuzzy about the details of the competition/design/construction. I knew the story of Saarinens pivitial role in the architect selection process, and I knew that Utzohn (the architect) resigned under pressure and did not finish the project. What I did not know, and the book makes clear, is that Utqon did not know how to finish the project, and the completed project does not meet the owners stated requirements. It is nevertheless a masterpiece that has served Sidney well and inspired millions. Strange stuff!