Like the Harbour Bridge did, what new architecture projects could help Sydney-siders to feel proud?

Question

When the Sydney Harbour Bridge was built it helped many Sydney-siders and Australians as a whole through the depression as an example of a beautiful yet functional piece of architecture. People were proud of the new Bridge and even though it cost so much money, the social benefits for society far outweighed this. Today, it is part of our identity, so what more could we build to create this same proud feeling?

Answer 1

It would need to be another big project, but not a bridge.

It would also need to be a design that was very risqué as all new architecture projects that are famous push boundaries of design. It will likely get a lot of negative press, but that is okay as in time it goes away. Even when the Anzac Bridge in Pyrmont was built many people said it was ugly, yet it is now loved and thought of as a beautiful bridge. The same goes overseas, for example The Pompidou Centre (art gallery) in Paris is thought of as ugly and totally out of place in the area, yet it is now a famous landmark.

My suggestion would be to construct a new cultural centre building somewhere by the water that using a lot of glass so that the building literally and metaphorically reflects Sydney. It needs to be unique in its design - Something a bit “out there” so that it can be a talking point. There should also be good use of colour so it reflects the fun aspect of Sydney. There are too many serious and boring buildings in Sydney that could be lifted by a new design.

While form is important, function is just as important in an architectural project that will makes Sydney-siders feel proud. The building should be very open and welcoming. On each floor there should be different themes, such as Australian history, artwork, music and literature. There should be a performance space. Somewhere to eat a range of different foods with chefs that work there for 3 month contracts so that it constantly changes and encourages people to try new things and return.

There should also be a good range of technology, perhaps a floor showing Australia’s best inventions (http://www.whitehat.com.au/Australia/Inventions/InventionsA.html) as well as a space for up and coming inventors.

There could be an area that has rotating exhibitions come from different cultural areas to show the many different parts of Sydney and Australia. Tourism Australia could have a permanent floor that is used to showcase Australia to Australians and encourage domestic exploration.

Many countries spend a lot of money on culture and the arts so that these activities can be subsidised for their people. If you are Australian then it should be free, or a token cost.

This new building would be all about collaboration and showing what Australia is all about to further explore our identity.

Answer 2

Another Bridge is out of the question. The term "been there done that" applies. I'm astounded that the Opera House didn't get a mention as it really is "architecture" and brilliant.

Now thinking divergently I would suggest the best!

With global warming and with lower rainfall and with increasing storm surges and with an increased need for sustainable energy I suggest a massive hydraulic engineering project that would make the Thames Barrier look like a coffer dam.

I suggest that the geomorphology of the Sydney area with the help of the harbour mouth could enable tide generated electricity generators.

Likewise grey and storm water could gradually replace the saline water of the harbour and be recycled.

Also the structures that I am suggesting would act as dikes protecting suburbs around the Parramata from flooding.

In so far as it is possible to maintain viable examples of existing ecosystems within all of this, it must be a priority, but realistically, if destruction and flooding are coming anyway this fact would be a compelling argument to do a little damage to the environment now rather than have greater damage later on.

Also there may well be another terrible depression. Bull markets cannot last forever.

Answer 3

Don't you think Sydneysiders are proud enough?

Too many, not all, see themselves as the centre of the universe as far as Australian ICONS are concerned.

Maybe a road system that gets you from point A to point B in a relatively straight line would be good. The last time I was in Sydney my partner and I lamented over the very poor and narrow road system you have to deal with every day.

A hangover from being the 'first city' with no real roads planning or foresight.

You just have to look at Adelaide, Melbourne etc., etc. to see real planning and grid roads so that people can get from one place to another in a reasonable amount of time without all of the hoo-hah of Sydney streets. A true nightmare of a place that I try to keep away from.

So the bridge is 65 or 75 years old....who really cares apart from people living in Sydney.

Answer 4

Sydney Is so beautiful!!!!
I had a holiday there in 2000 & honey moon years earlier at Katoomba & its so great they all should be so proud of their City!
I'm from Brisbane & Sydney will leave Brisbane for dead so to speak
I still love Brisbane but you have so many things so close to the City & so pretty as well
The Harbour & the walk around it is beautiful
its all beautiful I just saw the bridge flag etc on TV
you always do things very well
haha when we get recycled water in brisbane Sydney here we come maybe lol

Answer 5

I would like to see a plaque signed by John Howard. It would be meant as an apology to what he has done in the name of fair minded Australians. On that plaque, I would like to see an apology for allowing us to enter the quagmire of the Iraqi war and to be indirectly responsible for the Australian casualties that have resulted from his decision to do so despite the wishes of over 75 % of Australians.

I would like to see an apology for the Tampa Incident which resulted in the death of men, women and children who were 'boat people' fleeing from a country that had no longer a place for them and the inaction ordered from 'up above' to help those people. Furthermore, an apology that this incident was distorted and used to win an election

I would like him to apologise for the economic rationalization, that has made the economy sound but has victimised and marginalised too many Australians. (Was this really the only ecomomic strategey that could have realised that goal ?)

I would like him to apologise for the years of neglect to Aboriginal Affairs when the best strategy thought out by Canberra was to ensure that Aboriginal communities are too busy fighting against themselves to have any cohesive impact on government policy.

Finally, I would like him to apologise for not safeguarding the rights of David Hicks, presently serving his fifth year, uncharged, at Guatanamao Bay, at the behest of US military authorities.

This would not provide the same architectural result that the bridge has had as a functional icon of Sydney but it would tell the world that we are, deep down, despite it all, 'fair dinkum' and 'true blue.'