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Overcoming complex challenges to make Sydney Opera House more accessible

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Trish Sunga Trish Sunga Australasia Press Office,Sydney
19 December 2018

For the first time, people in wheelchairs or with limited mobility can independently access and enjoy the spectacular Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre using a new lift and passageway engineered by Arup, in collaboration with architects Scott Carver.

Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM has described the new path and lift as “works of art in themselves”. 

The glass lift shaft with its bronze finish is supported by steel structure and fits seamlessly into its surroundings. The original concrete beams seem to float as they meet the lift, connecting all levels of the Northern Foyer, with its magnificent views of Sydney Harbour and the famous “Possum Dreaming” mural by Michael Tjakamarra Nelson. 

The new lift access to the Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House The new lift access to the Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House
New lift access to the Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House © Daniel Boud

Providing structural engineering, façades and fire engineering expertise, Arup worked with the Opera House Renewal Building team and other specialists to ensure minimal disruption and impact to the World Heritage listed building. 

“We were delighted to accept the simultaneous challenges of improving access and blending the new structures into the highly-complex original design,” Arup Australasia Consulting Leader Marianne Foley said.

“With space and structural limitations, we looked to original design drawings to determine the best access solutions, and identified a passageway from the Southern Foyer to the Northern Foyer, through former plant rooms and back of house areas in the Joan Sutherland Theatre. 

A man in a wheelchair uses the new lift access to the Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House A man in a wheelchair uses the new lift access to the Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House
Ian Cashen (Sydney Opera House) and Max Burt (Wheel Easy) in the new glass-walled lift © Daniel Boud
“

We’re honoured to have been part of the team which has further opened up the Opera House to visitors with access needs so they can be immersed in the architecture, art and performance of one of the world’s favourite buildings. ”

Marianne Foley Marianne Foley Former Australasia Buildings Leader

Arup has had a long involvement with the Opera House, with founder Ove Arup contributing breakthrough engineering for the construction of Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece.  

Read more about Arup’s involvement in preserving this architectural icon for future generations.