Sydney Opera House

Performing-arts centre on the harbour in Sydney, Australia. Its dynamic, imaginative design by Danish architect Jørn Utzon won a competition in 1957 and brought Utzon international fame. Construction posed a variety of problems, many resulting from the bold design consisting of a series of glittering white shell-shaped roofs. After several years of research, Utzon gave the vaults a more spherical geometry, making them easier and more economical to build. The roofs are made up of precast concrete sections held together by cables. The centre finally opened in 1973.