Australia: A country with architecture as unique as its environment. The Sydney Opera House, perched on the tip of Circular Quay, alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is one of the most well-known and iconic images of Sydney. Did you know that the creative design was the result of a competition? Back in 1956, The Hon. Joe Cahill (the NSW Premier at the time) ran a worldwide design competition for an opera house. Little-known Danish architect Jørn Utzon’s design was selected from over 200 entries. However, when it came time to start planning, his curved design (radically different from the more common cubes and squares) stumped engineers for years. Eventually, Utzon himself came up with an idea: basing the curved shells on the face of an imaginary sphere. Construction began in March 1959, and Utzon and his family moved to Australia shortly after. However, in 1965, Minister of Works Davis Hughes questioned Utzon’s grand designs for the interiors, particularly their schedules and costs. Despite huge protests throughout Sydney, Utzon was forced to step down from the project in 1966. That year, architect Peter Hall took over the project, bringing the iconic building to its completion. The Utzon family left Australia, never to return. However, in 1999, Utzon was engaged to create a set of Design Principles to guide any future changes, thereby ensuring his impact on the Australian cityscape to live on. Now, the Sydney Opera House regularly hosts all types of events: opera, modern dance, comedy, burlesque, music, art, and children's’ event.
Not to mention all the postcards and photos! - Liv Steigrad for Ruby’s Residences.
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Sydney in June means Winter is settling in properly. Don’t worry though, the city definitely steps up to make sure there’s plenty of entertainment available that doesn’t rely on the weather! Sydney Film Festival is running from June 5- 16th and is the perfect excuse to get comfortable and escape the weather. The lineup includes a variety of strange and exciting films that are pushing boundaries around the world. The International Convention Center down in Darling Harbour will be playing host to the Good Food and Wine Show from the 21st to the 23rd of June. Expect to see culinary celebrities likes Maggie Beer and Kylie Kwong wandering around, in amongst the numerous tastings, masterclasses, demonstrations, and stalls. Head down to Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday, June 1st for the Round She Goes Fashion Market. $2 entry will get you access to 60 hand-curated fashion stalls. Expect to see brands like Gorman and Sass and Bide, as well as the occasional Ferragamo or Carla Zampatti. Experience something out of the ordinary with a Ghostly Garden walking tour through the Royal Botanical Gardens. You’ll meet your guide at 5:30, who’ll take you through the quiet, shadowy paths (the gardens are closed to the public from 6:30) and tell you all about historical figures and spooky spectres said to hang around the parks. Suitable for children ages 8 and up.
- Liv Steigrad for Ruby’s Residences. The iconic Sydney Fish Markets are a must-visit. The bustle of a busy market, and the excitement of seeing such a variety of exotic sea creatures - dead and alive, is an experience truly unique to Sydney. The markets boast a variety of eateries and shops, but there’s more to do there than just eat! If you’re fascinated by the inner workings of the fish market, why not check out one of their behind-the-scenes tours? You’ll learn all about the history of the fish markets, how the Dutch auction system works, and about sashimi and live seafood products. You’ll also get to see the auction floor (with over 100 species of ocean animal), see some live oyster shucking This is one for the early birds though, as the tours kick off at 6:40 am sharp, and go for 1.5 - 2hours. If you’re not quite prepared to get up that early, but having a guide through the madness of the markets is appealing, they’ve recently started offering Boutique Brunch Tours as well. The brunch tours start at 10 am Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and include a crash course on how to select the finest seafood (even in species you’ve never seen before), and an explanation of the Dutch system. You’ll still get to view the auction grounds, however, it won’t be in the full rush of the morning sale. You’ll get to see oyster shuckers and expert filleters. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, your guide will help you choose and order a sumptuous seafood brunch. Feeling inspired by the incredible variety of sea life on offer? Learn how to prepare a delicious seafood meal with a cooking class! You can choose a two, three, or four-hour class, and afterwards, you’ll get to enjoy a seafood meal with wine tasting. All the tours and classes are small groups and tend to fill up - so make sure you book ahead!
- Liv Steigrad for Ruby’s Residences. |
AuthorLiv- Tender L Creative and Deb - a long term resident of Sydney. Archives
January 2020
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