Sydney Opera House BUILD
Creating a better world through the built environment
Sydney Opera House BUILD is a groundbreaking creative learning program for Secondary and Tertiary students that uses the Sydney Opera House – its architecture, history and cultural significance – to inspire the next generation to tackle challenges, through creativity, design and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The program uses creative problem-solving and human-centered design to encourage interest in the world of science, technology, engineering, arts, architecture and mathematics – otherwise known as STEAM. It celebrates the fact that the Sydney Opera House building was made possible through the collaboration between architects, engineers and builders. This includes architects Jørn Utzon AC and Peter Hall, and engineer, designer and philosopher, Sir Ove Arup.
Through diverse offerings, it empowers students to become global citizens capable of addressing the complex challenges facing us all.
To find out more about participating in Sydney Opera House BUILD, please contact us via email:
- Alana Ambados, Creative Learning Manager
- Joni Taylor, Program Manager
Jørn Utzon ACI like to be on the edge of the possible.
BUILD Program streams
Secondary Program
A 5-day intensive program for Year 9 and 10 students focusing on STEAM engagement through a costume design challenge based on the Sydney Opera House.
Tertiary Program
A 10-day leadership program for tertiary students from architecture, engineering and other disciplines exploring how a socially engaged built environment practice can contribute to more sustainable futures.
Built to Last
A mentor program for Sydney Opera House BUILD alumni, offering a life-changing opportunity to be mentored by industry professionals.
Gallery
Gallery
Program partner: Ove Arup Foundation
The Ove Arup Foundation’s support enables the delivery of the Sydney Opera House BUILD program.
An independent UK charity, the Ove Arup Foundation honours the memory of engineer, designer and philosopher, Sir Ove Arup. By funding educational programmes and initiatives, the foundation drives values of innovation and inclusive design, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Sir Ove Arup was involved in the original design of Sydney Opera House, which began in the 1950s, and his firm Arup continues to play a pivotal role in the building’s long-term development and preservation plan.
Danish architect Jørn Utzon won an international competition for the project in 1957. As the industry’s eminent concrete designer, Sir Ove Arup’s contribution was sought early on, and he began to turn Utzon’s freeform sketches into an architectural reality. Sir Ove Arup’s team confronted an engineering challenge that has since become one of the profession’s epic tales – the design and construction of the building’s enormous, precast concrete shells.
Sydney Opera House BUILD Listen and Watch
Life on Land
Listen to Sydney Opera House’s Joni Taylor and visionary thought leaders, Jefa Greenaway and Liane Rossler, reflect on our relationship to “Life on Land” - Global Goal 15.
Life Below Water
Listen to Sydney Opera House’s Joni Taylor and visionary thought leaders Dr Danièle Hromek and Alex Goad reflect on our relationship to “Life Below Water” - Global Goal 14.
Does Artificial Intelligence Make Smart Cities ?
Listen to Sydney Opera House’s Joni Taylor in conversation with guest speakers Thea-Mai Baumann and Dr Sarah Barns exploring industry innovation to build better cities and in dialogue with UNSDg 9 - “Industry Innovation and Infrastructure”.
Pittwater House visit with Rick Leplastrier
Watch the film by Anna Cater of our Sydney Opera House BUILD Tertiary students visiting the Pittwater home of Rick Leplastrier and Karen Lambert.
The Originals Panel Conversation
Watch a night of conversation with ‘The Originals’ – a group of the original engineers and surveyors who built Sydney Opera House.
