Test your Design IQ
What is the name of this structure?
MANILA, Philippines – Located in Australia’s premier city, this structure is one of the world’s most identifiable landmarks and one of the most famous venues for the performing arts in the world. Its distinctive architecture has made it Australia’s top tourist attraction — even for tourists with no interest in opera or the arts. The spherical-sectioned shells are reminiscent of the flotilla of sailboats that cruise the harbor where it sits.
The idea for this building started when Eugene Goosens, director for the New South Wales State Conservation of Music, lobbied to have a venue built for the performing arts. A design competition was held in 1954. The committee received 233 entries and in 1955 the design was awarded to Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect. The building was built in three stages: first was the upper podium, followed by the outer shells and then the interior construction. Utzon designed the problematic shells, whose function was to provide optimum acoustics, as ribs from a sphere of the same radius, which were constructed on the ground and placed individually in mid-air. The building was formally completed in 1973, 10 years behind schedule, at a cost of $102 million. It was formally opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
* * *
Last week’s question: Who is the Austrian-American architect considered one of modernism’s most important architects and whose office building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
Answer: Richard Neutra
Winner: Conrado T. Barrientos of Binan, Laguna
Text your answer to 0905-3142614 with your name and address. One winner will be chosen through a raffle of texts with the correct answer. The winner will receive P2,000 worth of SM gift certificates for use at Our Home, SM Department Store, or SM Supermarket. They can claim their prize at Our Home in SM Megamall. Call the store manager at 634-1950, 634-1943. Bring photocopies of two valid IDs and a clipping of the Design Quiz issue in which you appear as winner.
