Google Cultural Institute displays Sydney Opera House as you’ve never seen it

Think you know Sydney’s iconic building? Now you can view the original plans and take a (virtual) walk across the stage.

Arrival of the early paraboloid scheme at the office in Hellebæk, Denmark, 1958. Picture: Google Cultural Institute

Sydney’s iconic Opera House and his rich history can be relived in a display of images and videos that Google is making available from today.

The online display is part of Google’s Cultural Institute and is a collaboration with the Opera House.

It includes Opera House architect Jorn Utzon’s competition design submission in 1956. There’s digitised archives and Google street view imagery from more than 1,000 artefacts from both within and around the Opera House, including 50 online exhibits, in Museum View. You can even take a (virtual) walk right on to the stage.

Jørn Utzon’s competition submission drawing number 1, 1956. Picture: Google Cultural Institute

Google says it is the first permanent digital repository of the Sydney Opera House collection and the largest collection of exhibits to be added to the Google Cultural Institute.

Those with Google Cardboard or another virtual reality headset can experience a 360 degree view of the Opera House.

The immersive experience includes performances by the young Australian soprano Nicole Car, who recently starred in Opera Australia’s production of Luisa Miller; cellist and Sydney Symphony Orchestra Director of Artistic Planning Benjamin Schwartz at sunrise in the Utzon Room; and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra on the Concert Hall stage rehearsing with David Robertson, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director.

Sydney Opera House chief executive Louise Herron welcomed the partnership with Google.

The new online exhibition can be viewed at g.co/sydneyoperahouse and on the Google Cultural Institute website.