MADE - Part 1: Program Overview

Part 1: Program Overview

About MADE

Also known as the Multidisciplinary Australian Danish Exchange, MADE is an international extra-curricular exchange program offered to Australian and Danish students of architecture, engineering and built environment design in their second year of study or above between 2013-2023.

The aims of the program were to:

Promote international and multidisciplinary interaction between students of architecture, engineering and built environment design.
Foster cultural relationships between Denmark and Australia.
Support the knowledge and understanding of Danish architect Jørn Utzon and the Utzon Design Principles.

Established by a group of founding partners in 2013 for the Sydney Opera House's 40th Anniversary, the exchange program created an alumni of 89 students to continue the international and interdisciplinary links first forged by Jørn Utzon's masterpiece. Inspired by the multidisciplinary manner in which the Sydney Opera House was built, the program invites students from a range of Built Environment disciplines to work together over a six-week period.

^{Credit: Hamilton Lund}

^{Credit: Hamilton Lund}

^{Credit: Katje Ford}

^{Credit: Katje Ford}

Traditional approach

_{Mid-century Modernism, and the International Style of architecture, was distinguished by revealing a building’s structure and emphasising form over function. Post-war architects explored new possibilities and pushed boundaries with material tolerance and span, fuelled by the manufacturing and technology boom. This led to an increasing reliance on engineers, but with architecture taught in silos, students rarely engaged with engineers (or other vital specialists) until they started in practice. Arguably there are few buildings in the modern world that better embody the interdependent relationship between architects and engineers, or that pioneering spirit of ‘learning by doing’, as the Sydney Opera House, so it seems a fitting parent to the MADE program.}

Danish/Australian relationship

_{Utzon’s design for the Sydney Opera House forever changed the city, and its inscription onto UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 2007 signalled its importance to the wider world. When Louise Herron became CEO of the Opera House in 2012, she brought renewed rigour and a broader focus to the task of stewardship and renewal. On her watch, the MADE program was initiated and launched to mark the 40}^_th_{anniversary of The House. Its purpose was to strengthen the ties between Australia and Denmark that began with the Opera House itself, and saw Australians embrace Scandinavian design with almost unparalleled fervour internationally.}

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

^{_{Credit: NSW State Library}}

Utzon

Architect Jørn Utzon is known for his design of the Sydney Opera House, a building that is recognised as a World Heritage-listed masterpiece of human creativity, and one of the greatest buildings of the 20th century. The Opera House is a daring and visionary expression that influenced the emergent architecture of the late 20th century. Utzon's original design concept, and his unique approach to building, spawned a collective creativity of architects, engineers and builders. The engineering achievements of Ove Arup, and the tenacity of architect Peter Hall in completing the building, helped Utzon's vision become a reality.

^{_{Credit: Jacquie Manning}}

^{_{Credit: Teresa Tan}}

Building the Sydney Opera House

Examples of multi-disciplinary collaboration

From conception to completion, the Sydney Opera House tested the very limits of engineering, construction and design, requiring experts across disciplines to realise Utzon’s vision. Utzon's design suggested that the Concourse area under the Monumental Steps would require some form of colonnade to support the weight of the structure above. Ove Arup, the engineer overseeing the project, instead proposed the now famous Concourse beams. The beams, in their final design, so successfully dispersed stress that no additional vertical support was necessary. The beams are but one reminder of the critical collaboration between Utzon and Arup.

The roof design of the Opera House evolved over countless iterations as Utzon, Arup and their teams pursued parabolic, ellipsoid and finally spherical geometry to derive the iconic Opera House ‘shells’ (or sails). It is also speculated that the shape was inspired by a gull’s wing. The answer may be all three (shells, sails, wings) given that Utzon was a keen sailor and deeply inspired by nature. The Spherical Solution – realising the form of the sails from the surface of a sphere – marked a milestone in 20th century architecture, and would also be an enduring expression of the dance between design and engineering.

After Utzon’s departure, a consortium of Australian architects, Hall, Todd & Lielemore, was appointed to complete the Opera House. Design architect Peter Hall worked to what he understood of Utzon's vision, and continued in his collegiate spirit. In collaboration with Arup engineers, the glass walls of the Opera House devised by Hall were recognised internationally as an extraordinary feat of design and engineering.

MADE Process

Founding Partners

MADE by the Opera House brought together leaders in the built environment professions, and reconvened some key partners involved in the construction of the Sydney Opera House, to develop a tertiary program that continued the international and interdisciplinary links first forged by Jørn Utzon's masterpiece. Christen Obel, Chairman of the Henrik F. Obel Foundation board, says six founding partners contributed to the success of MADE by bringing a variety of voices, and offering different roles and contributions. Along with Sydney Opera House, the founding partners of the MADE by the Opera House program include:

Arup
Bikuben Foundation
Dreyer Foundation
Henrik F. Obel Foundation
NSW Architects Registration Board
Steensen Varming

The below infographic outlines the motivation of the partners for supporting the program and their assessment of the program’s success.

Recruitment

Each year, from 2014 to 2023, five university students from NSW travelled to Denmark and five from Danish tertiary institutions travelled to NSW as part of the program (except during Covid, when MADE students participated in their own countries).

More than 1,320 student applications were received across the full range of built environment disciplines, with 89 students ultimately taking part in the program. This was 11 fewer than the 100 originally intended, due to the impact of COVID in 2020-2021.

Student requirements were:

Enrolment in a recognised university or tertiary institution in Denmark or Australia (NSW);
Undertaking a degree in the built environment disciplines of architecture, engineering or design;
Successfully completed second year of an undergraduate degree in the built environment disciplines of architecture, engineering or design.

The below infographic breaks down the applicants and successful MADE students by fields of study, degree and country of application.

^{_{MADE Applicant Breakdown}}

^{_{MADE Applicant Breakdown}}

^{_{Successful Applicants Breakdown}}

^{_{Successful Applicants Breakdown}}

Briefs

In Australia, students were given a detailed brief to tackle and questions to solve, both connected with the Sydney Opera House and its ongoing, changing needs in terms of functionality and renewal. The brief and questions, which required reference to the Utzon Design Principles, were prepared by a team from MADE and Sydney Opera House staff in consultation with external consultants, partners and the host firms.

Briefs for the Danish programs were created in collaboration between the host firms, professional mentors and MADE alumni mentors. The projects were hypothetical but related to either a professional focus or tasks at the host firm.

_{Learn more about the briefs and concepts in part 2}

Program Inclusions

Can Lis

Before starting the program each year, Australian and Danish students spent five days at Can Lis on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Can Lis is owned by the Utzon Foundation. The purpose of the stay was for the cohort to experience an Utzon building over time, get to know each other and to gain skills and confidence in collaboration.

This shared experience laid a solid foundation for collaboration, and a point of personal connection among the MADE alumni.

“One of the key impacts of the program for me was experiencing architecture in a new way. Perhaps it started after spending a week at Can Lis with architects.”
_{- Amalie Dokkedal Jensen, Australian Program 2021, Engineering}

“Can Lis is like this strange honeymoon period before beginning the program. It gives you this opportunity to relax and, because you’re in such an inspiring place, you’re able to express what you each feel about it.”
_- _{Robert Martin, Danish Program 2014, post program reflection}

“Utzon's nature-based design approach is still a very large part of my own practice”.
_{- Rune Wriedt, Australian Program 2018, Architecture}

Australian Program

The Australian program centred around the Sydney Opera House and a local architecture or engineering practice. It included general masterclasses, such as Heritage & Conservation with Alan Croker, the Utzon Design Principles with Richard Johnson, Theatre Planning & Acoustics with Arup and Sustainability, and Climate & Human Comfort with Steensen Varming. It also included masterclasses tailored to the brief such as Wind & Pedestrian Comfort and Wind Tunnel with Graeme Wood. Additionally, participants attended Opera House performances and workshops, cultural tours and site visits such as Lovett Bay House with architect Richard Leplastrier. There were also networking opportunities at lunches and dinners hosted by founding partners, host firms and the Consul General of Denmark.

MADE 2013-2023 | Caroline Grandjean-Thomsen, MADE Program Manager 2013-2022 (AU)

^{_{Richard Johnson Masterclass}}

^{_{Sydney Opera House Tour}}

^{_{Tribal Warrior Trip}}

Workshop at Arup

Masterclass at Steensen Varming

^{_{Masterclass at AMP}}

Danish Program

Each year, the Danish program included a one-day Utzon study trip, both for the Australian students on the program, and the Danish students who would travel to Australia six months later. It further included an immersive three-day study trip to Aarhus and Aalborg. In Aarhus lectures and workshops were held in collaboration with Aarhus University and others. In Aalborg, the Utzon Center organised local guided architectural tours along with lunch and lectures. The majority of program activities occurred in the first two weeks to allow students the last four weeks of uninterrupted work time. The program was facilitated by the Royal Danish Academy - Architecture, Design, Conservation.

Approach

Each cohort commented on the challenges of communicating and working collaboratively in a team with such varied perspectives. Once achieved, the full potential of the project was unlocked.

“I realised that the teams I’ve worked in the past have had architecturally like-minded opinions to myself. So I was always very comfortable… and within that process we would build and riff off each other. This was not the case in the MADE program. Everyone would draw very different and competing ideas. Reconciling this was difficult.”
_{— 2022 Australian Program Reflection}

Below the Danish Program alumni of 2018 outline their 6 week program.

Outcomes

Concepts

Over 10 years, the MADE alumni of 89 students delivered 18 projects, averaging two per year except in 2020-2021, when only one project per year was delivered due to the COVID disruption. Projects varied in scope – Australian students in Denmark proposed solutions to briefs such as social housing and student accommodation, while Danish students presented proposals specific to the Sydney Opera House, such as activating the Northern Boardwalk and designing a new Welcome Centre.

Core to the students’ approaches over MADE’s 10 years were multidisciplinary collaboration, the Scandinavian design approach and the Utzon Design Principles. Surveyed in June 2023, the alumni ranked valuing multidisciplinary collaborations in the top three impacts of the program, and an appreciation for Jørn Utzon and/or Utzon Design Principles ranked in the top 10.

^{_{2019 Danish Program Concept}}

^{_{2022 Australian Program Concept}}

Alumni

The MADE alumni now consists of 89 individuals from architecture, engineering and design. Each has their own specialisation, professional focus and industry experience. Early participants now have careers while some from the later programs are still studying. They are connected by the MADE program and a big part of the group remain in contact professionally and personally.

“This group is a melting pot of ideas, skills and humanity”
_{- Andrew Weetman, Danish Program 2016, Engineering}

“Every time I am with the alumni group I feel so profoundly inspired and honoured to be part of a group with such talented, ambitious and creative folks.”
_{- Henriette Fris, Australian Program 2018, Design}

“I consider my MADE project team some of my closest, lifelong friends… The alumni group was also a valuable source of professional networking and practical support in moving to a new country.”
_{- Eleanor Gibson, Danish Program 2017}

^{_{Credit: Kate Fjord}}

Impacts & learnings

The benefits are felt not only by the alumni, but by many of the stakeholders who have seen impacts on their own organisations and staff:

_{Chris Arkins, Director at Steensen Varming notes:}

“Our staff who participated in the program have all benefited from the experience. Each being enriched through the process of sharing knowledge and values, enjoying the close bonds formed with each cohort.”

_{Louise Herron AM, CEO at Sydney Opera House also reflects:}

“I remember each of the MADE presentations so vividly. From one of them, I found a new respect for spending significant time on research, rather than moving too quickly into solution mode. That’s something I try to do now.”

_{Interviewed after the final presentation in 2018, Sydney host firm COX reflected:}

“The process has been deeply rewarding. I was almost moved to tears at the start of the presentation, seeing these young people work together… It’s actually an inspiration for how we might work on our own projects.”

MADE 2013-2023 | Chris Arkins, Steensen Varming

MADE 2013-2023 | Alistair Morrison, Arup

Legacy

Sydney Opera House

At the heart of the MADE program’s success is generosity, collaboration and support of the next generation.

“MADE is true to our DNA. It’s about multidisciplinary collaboration. It’s about Australians and Danes working together to bring about a work of human creative genius. And just as with Jorn Utzon, who was young when he worked on the Opera House, everyone on this program has been at the formative stages of their careers. A transformative program, it will continue to shape the way they approach both work and life.”
_{- Louise Herron AM, CEO, Sydney Opera House}

One way the Opera House aims to continue this is through the Sydney Opera House BUILD program.

Supported by the Ove Arup Foundation in partnership with Sydney Opera House, this new multidisciplinary creative learning program for secondary and tertiary students uses the Opera House building, site and story as a catalyst for learning about STEM, and solving real-world issues as identified by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To continue the BUILD students' professional development, Sydney Opera House is scoping a program that sees MADE Alumni engaged in mentoring BUILD participants.

^{_{BUILD workshop - Regenerating Australia - 2022 Credit: Jaimi Joy}}

^{_{BUILD workshop - Regenerating Australia - 2022 Credit: Jaimi Joy}}

Alumni Legacy

“We hope that the MADE alumni will continue giving back, expanding their unique learnings and insights into future generations”
^{- Arup}

When surveyed, the alumni indicated other ways they intend to continue the MADE legacy:

^{_{MADE 2022, Credit: Jacquie Manning}}

^{_{MADE 2022, Credit: Jacquie Manning}}

Stakeholder Legacy

Host Firms - Host Firms and other stakeholders can commit to providing opportunities such as internships.

Partners - Continuing to lead the industry in the values instilled by MADE, is a key conclusion of the MADE partners.

Steensen Varming notes that they will continue the MADE legacy by continuing to support respect, education and shared endeavour in realising better outcomes.

ARUP indicates they will continue to be involved in tertiary education mentorships and future legacy programs while also continuing their firms’ legacy.

The NSW Architects Registration Board (ARB) have initiated the ARB+ platform to celebrate architecture and reach a wider public audience.

Bikuben Foundation continue to promote multidisciplinary approaches in their community development to inspire fields beyond the built environment.

“Arup is honoured to have been a founding member and part of a 10-year legacy, that continues the historical links forged by Ove Arup, Jørn Utzon and other key architects, engineers, designers and builders.”
^{- Arup}

“The NSW ARB has enjoyed the opportunity to support the MADE program and the next generation of world-leading designers in the built environment.”
^{- NSW Architects Registration Board}

“It has been a pleasure to define the framework and then see MADE take on a life of its own.”
^{- Henrik F. Obel Foundation}

“The MADE programme has fostered great developments in multidisciplinary collaboration, design thinking and internationalization. As such, the programme has inspired new, innovative ways of working that can inspire fields, disciplines and solutions far beyond architecture, engineering and design.”
^{- Bikuben Foundation}

“It has been a wonderful opportunity for Steensen Varming to support such a significant and wide reaching program that has directly influenced the path of a very talented group of architects, engineers and designers across two countries, that remain inextricably linked by an outstanding vision that was realised in the Sydney Opera House.”
^{- Steensen Varming}

“The program has succeeded in promoting international and interdisciplinary interaction between the subject groups, as well as strengthening cultural relations between Denmark and Australia, all framed by a focus on Jørn Utzon’s architecture and design principles.”
^{- Dreyers Foundation}

“Utzon’s fantastic work shows there's something unique when working across cultures and long distances. MADE has reconfirmed and renewed this learning and I hope this lasts not only in the industry but in culture and society overall.”
^{- Jakob Brandtberg Knudsen, Dean of Architecture, Royal Danish Academy Architecture, Design, Conservation}

“Like the collaborative approach that brought the Opera House to life, MADE fits perfectly with our ambition to be Everyone’s House.”

Sydney Opera House