Sydney Opera House – The Red Book

Message by Jørn Utzon

Longitudinal section through major hall

Section through the halls

North Elevation

South Elevation

Longitudinal section through minor hall

Section through stage towers

Longitudinal section through central passage

Section through concourse

Interior of major hall - concert hall

Detailed sections

About the structures by Ove Arup, design engineer

Plan of principal construction features

Preliminary Layout

Shell Over Back of Auditorium Main Theatre

Models of Shells

Scheme for full scale model

First stage of full-scale model at Hoganas Clayworks

First Stage of Full-Scale Model at Hoganas Clayworks

Ceramic tiles used on curved surfaces Hoganas Clayworks

First Floor Beams

Second Floor Beams

Model of Construction of Concourse

Sound Reflections in Halls

1. The Site and the Outdoor Noise. 2. On the Principles of Large Hall Acoustics

3. Some Examples of Existing Large Halls and their Acoustic Data

(cont.) 3. Some Examples of Existing Large Halls and their Acoustic Data

4. The Major Hall of the National Opera House. 5. The Minor Hall of the National Opera House

6. A Program for the Model Research of both Halls. 7. The Sound Insulation of the Entire Building Against Outdoor Noise. 8. The Sound Insulation of the Interior

9. Acoustics of the little Theatre and the Several Smaller Room. 10. The Sound Damping of Foyers, stages, etc. 11. The Facilities for Sound Amplification

12. Conclusions

Mechanical Services

Mechanical Services (cont.)

Longitudinal Section Through Major Hall

Electrical Installation

Theatre Technique

Theatre Technique (cont.)

Various Uses of Major Hall

Stage Machinery

Minor Hall Stage Machinery

Alternative Balcony Plan

This 1958 report (known also as the Red Book) was presented by Jørn Utzon to the Premier and the Opera House Committee in order to

give … a project which realizes in practical form the vision of the competition.

The report comprises: plans, sections, elevations, photographs of models of the Opera House; reports by other consultants on acoustics (V.L. Jordan), mechanical services (J. Varming), electrical installations (M. Balslev) and theatre technique (S. Malmquist).
NRS 12707 [SZ107]

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