1.
What are the differences between the Lotus Temple in New Delhi and the
Opera House in Sydney?
Nurul Atiqah Binti Mohd Ghazali
0325630
Taylor’s University
English 1
FNBE July 2015
October 29, 2015
2. Nurul Atiqah Binti Mohd Ghazali
0325630
Prewritting
WHAT
IS
THE
DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN
LOTUS
TEMPLE
AND
SYDNEY
OPERA
HOUSE?
2.
ARCHITECTURE
DESIGN
3.
MEANING
AND
PURPOSE
1.
LOCATION
LOTUS
IS
LOCATED
IN
NEW
DELHI,
INDIA.
IT
IS
NEAR
KALKAJI
TEMPLE,
EAST
OF
NEHRU
PALACE.
SYDNEY
OPERA
HOUSE
IS
LOCATED
IN
AUSTRALIA.
PLAZE
RIGHT
AT
END
OF
BENNELONG
POINT,
JUXTAPOSED
TO
THE
HARBOUR.
FOCAL
POINT
OF
SYDNEY
HARBOUR
SYDNEY
OPERA
HOUSE:
JORN
UTZON
MODERN
ARCHITECTURE,
EXPRESIONIST
OCT.
20,
1973
WHITE
ROOF
SHELL,
LOTUS:
PLACE
OF
WORSHIP
ALL
ABOUT
PEACE
SYMBOL
TO
HINDUISM,
BUDDHISM,
JAINISM
AND
ISLAM.
SYDNEY
OPERA
HOUSE:
PERFORMING
ARTS
CENTRE.
LOTUS:
FARIBORZ
SAHBA
EXPRESSIONIST
NOV.
13
1986
LOTUS
FLOWER,
27
PETALS,
40
METER
HAS
9
DOORS,
9
POOLS
OF
WATER,
WITH
26
ACRES
OF
GARDEN
3. Nurul Atiqah Binti Mohd Ghazali
0325630
Have you ever seen two unique buildings that look very identical to
each other? Have you heard of the Lotus Temple and the Sydney Opera
House? The Lotus Temple, also known as the Baha’i Temple, in New Delhi,
looks very similar to the Opera House in Sydney, Australia. The Lotus Temple
opened on November 13, 1986 and was designed by a Persian architect
named Fariborz Sahba (“Lotus Temple: Symbol, n.d.). Sydney Opera House
was created by a Danish architect name Jorn Utzon on October 20, 1973.
Both of these unique buildings may look identical but they have their own
differences. The differences between the Lotus Temple and the Sydney
Opera House are the location, the architectural design and the meaning and
purpose of the structure.
Firstly, the two buildings are located in different country and different
settings. The Lotus Temple is located near Kalkaji Temple, east of Nehru
Place in New Delhi, India (“Delhi Tourism”, n.d.). It is located in the heart of
New Delhi city, a busy and noisy city. Having the temple there allows people
to there and experience some peace. Moreover, the Opera House is located
in Sydney, Australia. It is located at the right end of Bennelong Point within a
beautiful harbor setting, Sydney Harbor (Wells, 2013). The architect, Jorn
Utzon, studies photographs and site plan to understand the sites surroundings
and relationship with the harbor. It was his intention to create a structure that
would relate as closely to the harbor such as sails and yachts.
Secondly, the architectural design between the Lotus Temple and
Sydney Opera House are different with materials, shape, texture and form.
Fariborz Sahba inspiration was the lotus flower, which derived him to create
the temple. It is one of the buildings that are inspired by bio mimicry (Rizor,
4. Nurul Atiqah Binti Mohd Ghazali
0325630
2011). The temple is divided into 9-sided circular structures, which then
branches out into 27 petals (Rizor, 2011). These blooming petals stand tall at
40 meter tall (Lotus Temple: Symbol, n.d). These leaves are categorized into
3 categories: entrance leaves, outer leaves, and inner leaves. Also, the first
two groups of leaves curve inward, while the third layer curve outwards to
cover the nine entrances (Baha’i Association, 2003). Moreover, the temple is
made up of mostly concrete and pure white marble blocks (“Delhi Tourism”,
n.d). It has 26 acres of green garden and nine pools of crystal clear water.
Comparing with the Sydney Opera House, Jorn Utzon was more inspired with
modern architecture. (Wells, 2013). He designed the structure with a leaf form
pattern with ceramic roof tiles. He used “nature” colors on the exterior. His
idea for materials was concrete, ceramic and granite and contrast that with
the white roof shells (Wells, 2013). The concrete platform is made up of red
granite, which is also use as a pavement for the waterfront surrounding the
building (Wells 2013). Plus, there are also glass walls facing the harbor,
providing a stunning view of Sydney Harbor.
Finally, the each of the buildings have their own meaning and purpose
to why it was build. The Lotus Temple is a place of worship. It symbolizes
peace and prosperity. That is why the temple symbolizes Hinduism,
Buddhism, Jainism and Islam (“Delhi Tourism”, .n.d). The temple is open to
everyone who wants to find inner peace and break the “shackles of
trepidation” (“Lotus Temple: Symbol”, n.d). Any races and religions are
allowed to visit and pray or meditate. However, the Sydney Opera House’s
function is different than the Lotus Temple. It is the busiest performing arts
center in the world that consists of theaters and halls for musicals, opera,
5. Nurul Atiqah Binti Mohd Ghazali
0325630
dance and ballet (Wells, 2013). There are about 3000 events each year. Ever
since it opened, it has attracted many artists from around the world and host
many performances there (Wells, 2013). The Opera House is an artistic
monument and a famous icon for the country.
In conclusion, the Lotus Temple in New Delhi and the Opera House in
Sydney is different from each other due to its location, architectural design
and meaning and purpose. These two unique buildings are only similar with
its idea of the shape but if you take a closer look at it, you will see the
differences. It’s like the saying “don’t judge the book by its covers”. We can’t
just simply judge that these two buildings are identical or whether one building
copy another, when in reality they are actually not. We have to study and
understand about each structure first and then we decide whether they have
anything similar.
6. Nurul Atiqah Binti Mohd Ghazali
0325630
References
Baha’I Association. (2003). The Lotus of Bahapur. Retrieved from
http://bahai.uga.edu/india.html
Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation. (n.d). Baha’i Temple.
Reterieved from
http://www.delhitourism.gov.in/delhitourism/tourist_place/bahai_temple.
jsp
Rizor, John. (2011). AD Classics: Lotus Temple/ Fariborz Sahba. Retrieved
from http://www.archdaily.com/158522/ad-classics-lotus-temple-
fariborz-sahba
Unknown. (n.d.) Lotus Temple: Symbol of Peace and Prosperity. Retrieved
from http://www.delhicapital.com/monuments-in-delhi/lotus-temple.html
Wells, Kathryn. (2013). Sydney Opera House. Retrieved from
http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-
opera-house
