Sydney Opera House conservation plan

–46–where a ‘higher standard of finish’ was required – even to the fitout oftoilets. These were to be the spaces heavily used by the ‘public, artistsand administration’ (ibid., 187) but did not include the ‘outside’ spacessuch as the foyers. There the predominant character had already beenestablished by Utzon’s concrete structure.The need for commonality and a limited palette of materials extendedto the full range of details, but it was the white birch veneer in its variousforms that made a major contribution to the unity of the performers’and staff spaces within the podium. Hall therefore appealed to futuregenerations to ensure that change was not considered in isolation butthat the parts should continue to be related to the whole and ‘producethe feeling, despite its size and diversity of its functions, that it is onebuilding’. He finished his appeal with the pithy advice: ‘Isolated detailchanges are enough to undermine that quality’ (ibid., 199–200).Policy 1.4 In any adaptation or modest functional improvement,interiors designed by Hall should retain or recover the character of hisoriginal design regimes with their co-ordinated detailing.Major interior worksMajor works to the auditoria and podium interiors can become acceptableif they achieve such new levels of technical and functional excellencethat they increase the significance of the Sydney Opera House as aperforming arts venue. There are, however, constraints. Policy 51.1requires that the more significant the item the more should care beexercised in preparing proposals. For example, any process of remodellingthe carcase (and hence character) of the concert hall to meetnew acoustic objectives is made difficult by the varied and changingopinions of musicians and acousticians. Major works, therefore, requirereasonable certainty of objective, method and outcome, if the criterionof excellence for both performer and audience perception is to be met.Policy 1.5 Major works within the auditoria and podium are acceptablewhere technical advance, expert advice, design quality, adequateresources and meticulous construction can be combined to create performanceand service facilities that will improve function and reinforce orenhance the significance of the Sydney Opera House, provided that:• the work is planned in the context of an overall plan for the place;• the scheme is developed in accordance with Policy 56.1 on themanagement of change.Such major works could also, for example, include replacing and relocatingobsolete plant, mechanical, hydraulic and electronic services, as well asresolving problems of heavy vehicle access, docking and storage facilities.Additional on-site facilitiesSpace at the Sydney Opera House has always been tight, particularly forwork places and support facilities. Some are now inefficient and barelyhabitable. The podium deck and walls place an absolute limit on upwardor lateral expansion and it is essential that the deck, forecourt and broadwalksremain uncluttered by developments. There are therefore twoacceptable options for the provision of major floor space: first, removal ofinessential functions off site and the reallocation of the space created touses that fit and are appropriate; second, the excavation of entirely newfacilities below existing levels.Policy 1.6 Entire new spaces, including access and delivery systems,may be created by excavating areas below existing facilities, forecourt, vehicleconcourse and broadwalks, provided the supporting mechanical servicesand access systems are designed to be minimal visual intrusions into thesurrounds of the building.See also Policy 1.2 (Retention of Utzon concepts) and 53.1 (excavation).