Sydney Opera House Glass Walls – 50 Years On

by J. A. Hemsley

Written primarily to celebrate the golden anniversary of the opening of the Sydney Opera House in 1973, this book gives an inclusive first-hand account of the glass science and technology aspects of the project, for which the writer was largely responsible. It is envisaged that the resulting broad narrative might be savoured in equal measure by readers interested in both specialised and generic aspects of this iconic edifice.

The historical background to the project is summarised, encompassing the spectacular site location and the development of various architectural schemes. A prolonged cessation in on-site construction during the late 1960s gave added impetus to fully design and build the external glass walls with minimal further delay, and thereby enable the extensive internal configuration and furnishing within the shell structures. The associated research and development on various aspects of laminated safety glass is summarised herein, together with several innovative features and wider fabrication details.

Substantial material from the writer’s personal archive is published herein for the first time, embracing additional descriptive annotations and contemporary colour photographs. The text also incorporates some new theoretical and experimental results for the flexure of glass beams and plates under various categories of applied loading – including hailstone impact – as well as a copious historical prologue on hailstorms for those attracted to classical art and literature. It is reassuring to record that, as for the main building structures, the glass walls have performed well over the past half-century, while their current robust condition augers well for the future.

First published November 2023, premium hardback (175 x 250 mm), 466 pages with black & white and colour illustrations.

ISBN 978-0-900682-95-7

Contents (pdf)