Complete Version - Sydney Opera House

3. MAINTAINING THEMASTERPIECE3.1strateGic BuiLDinG PLan3.2uPDates anD uPGraDesEvery year the Sydney Opera House commits significant resources to ensurethat the building and site are immaculately presented. Through the TotalAsset Management Program the House aims to ensure that all facilitiesmeet the requirements of companies, performers, visitors and staff and thatthe House is in first class condition.Some of the more significant works that were completed by the end of June2000 include:3.MAINTAINING THE MASTERPIECETHE ENGAGEMENT OF JØRN UTZONOne of the most significant events of the year at the Sydney Opera House wasthe appointment of Jørn Utzon as a design consultant.The House made the appointment to gain the Danish architect’s unique insightinto the process of addressing the future design needs of the building. Thiswill ensure that any future changes to the Sydney Opera House or its site willbe consistent with Utzon’s design principles.The appointment is a key element in the process of developing a StrategicBuilding Plan for the House and its site, and is aimed at achieving twoimportant long-term objectives:– to safeguard the Sydney Opera House and its site for the benefit of futuregenerations; and– to address practical limitations affecting the function of the building as aperforming arts centre. These issues include acoustics in the performingspaces, lighting, visitor amenities and the need to improve access to thebuilding for all visitors, including people with disabilities.Jørn Utzon and his son and partner,Jan, have been working with RichardJohnson, of the architectural firmDenton Corker Marshall, on thedevelopment of a Statement of DesignPrinciples which will fully documentthe design concept and details for theSydney Opera House. This will bepublished as a permanent reference forthe long-term conservation andmanagement of the building.The Principles will be a prime referencedocument for any proposal for changeaffecting the building and its site andwill enable us to address the futureneeds of the Sydney Opera House in away that reflects the integrity of JørnUtzon’s vision for the building.The design team has been consultingrelevant stakeholders to identify issueslikely to affect the Sydney Opera Housein the future.– extensive Building Compliance works to gain Place of PublicEntertainment certification;– additional female toilet facilities in the Box Office Foyer;– provision of new portable external and internal signage;– replacement of external precast paving panels;– Stage 1 of the Stage Door refurbishment, involving relocation ofmonitoring services to a new Control Room;– installation of the Integrated Building Management and Control System;– extension of the Main Box Office counter; and– a refurbished Guided Tours Sales Office on the Lower Concourse.The Sydney Opera House Upgrade Program this year saw the completion ofthe replacement of the edge tiles on the House’s sails. Some 8,500 edgetiles were replaced, a project that has brought the sails back to theiroriginal brilliance.In addition, to keep the Sydney Opera House operating requires asignificant effort behind the scenes through regular maintenance andcleaning. A diverse and skilled team of staff members and contractorsattend to these requirements with an admirable sense of purposeand commitment.“Since the building was completed there have beenmajor changes in the expectations of audiences andperformers. There are ever-increasing technicalrequirements placed on a performing arts venue suchas this. We need to find solutions to issues of functionand amenity for staff, presenters, patrons and visitorsand one of the key issuesto be addressed in theStrategic Building Planis access for peoplewith disabilities.”JOHNMCWHINNEYDIRECTOR, FACILITIES ANDPRECINCT PERFORMANCE34 35