Danish architect Jørn Utzon was inspired to design the Sydney Opera House when he saw a group of sailboats beautifully positioned in the Sydney harbor. The sail-like roofs are covered with over a million shimmering ceramic tiles. Inside, additional ceilings were constructed to address acoustic problems.
Utzon received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, architecture's highest honour, in 2003. The Pritzker Prize citation read: “There is no doubt that the Sydney Opera House is his masterpiece. It is one of the great iconic buildings of the 20th century, an image of great beauty that has become known throughout the world – a symbol for not only a city but a whole country and continent.”
The construction process was not problem-free, to say the least. Many significant changes to Utzon's design have been made. The original cost and scheduling estimates in 1957 projected a cost of $7 million and completion date of 26 January 1963 (Australia Day). In reality, the project was completed ten years later and the final cost was over $100 mln or almost 1400% over the budget.
Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sydney_Australia._(21339175489).jpg
