Sydney Opera House 50 years: How to make art out of compromises

What is the price to be paid for being an uncompromising architect? And is the uncompromising approach to architecture a thing of the past?

In 2023 the Sydney Opera House can celebrate its 50th anniversary. The building was designed by the then unknown Danish architect, Jørn Utzon, and it has become a milestone in modern architecture. But the Sydney Opera House also represents an often-seen story of the complexities and challenges of large and innovative building projects: A story of interdisciplinary collaborations, and the controversies and compromises, that led to Utzon leaving the project before it was finished.

In this episode of Let’s Talk Architecture, Director of Exhibitions at Utzon Center, Line Nørskov Davenport, takes us through the myths, the facts, and the truly remarkable story behind the opera house’s difficult birth, and talks about what we can learn from the process. Host is Michael Booth.

Let’s Talk Architecture is a podcast by Danish Architecture Center, with sound edits by Munck Studio.