Scottish Ten Project to digitally record Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House is to become the fourth building to be digitally recorded for future generations by the Scottish Ten Project.

Sydney Opera House is to become the fourth building to be digitally recorded for future generations by the Scottish Ten Project, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced.

The Scottish Ten project - a partnership between Historic Scotland and experts in 3D scanning and visualisation at Glasgow School of Art’s Digital Design Studio, plus digital heritage organisation CyArk -  is using cutting edge technology to digitally record all five of Scotland’s world heritage sites and five international sites.

Unprecendented access

The scanning project will allow unprecedented visual access to the Opera House and supply information for use in maintenance and conservation programmes.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop said: 'The Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic buildings in the world and is a masterpiece of architecture and engineering.

'By bringing together Historic Scotland’s deep understanding of heritage and the expertise in 3D visualisation at the Glasgow School of Art’s Digital Design Studio, Scotland has created a world-leading digital documentation project in the Scottish Ten.

'This will be the most detailed digital recording of the Opera House ever attempted. It will present entirely new challenges for the Scottish Ten team, who have already completed projects at vast and complex sites in the USA and India, and will soon visit China.

'This is by far the most modern building to be included in the Scottish Ten project and is a contrast to the castles, mills, tombs, Neolithic settlements, wells and sculptures that have come before it - but it will be a fascinating addition, and will further push the team’s skills and expertise.'

Sydney Opera House is of Australia's most recognisable buildings and was opened in 1973, being named as a World Heritage Site in 2007.

The reaction from Australia

Australian Heritage Minister Tony Burke said: 'The Australian Government is delighted that the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House is to be part of the Scottish Ten project. The Sydney Opera House is not just a symbol of Australia’s cultural and artistic excellence, to many it is also a symbol of Australia itself.

'The Scottish Ten project will provide us and the Sydney Opera House Trust with extraordinary insights into one of our most well known buildings, and provide invaluable information and perhaps a new way of looking at the place.

'On behalf of the Australian Government, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Historic Scotland, and the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, for selecting the Sydney Opera House, and giving us the opportunity to be involved in this remarkable project.'

Find out more

For more information on the Scottish Ten Project, visit the project website.

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