![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_4e813f7cb6b04b049ffb7adccd9dc701~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_47,h_26,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/4897a5_4e813f7cb6b04b049ffb7adccd9dc701~mv2.jpg)
Gradation of Direction
Jørn Utzon’s design for the Sydney Opera House was influenced by the movement of sailing boats on Sydney Harbour. The buildings shells use a graduation of direction to suggest the arc of sails as they are buffeted by the harbour breezes.
A gradation of direction is also used to create the organic curves of the large glass curtain walls from flat sheets of glass.
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![Sydney Opera House showing gradation of direction](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_803d38e8689046f298ea5aaaea5673cf~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_721,h_399,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/4897a5_803d38e8689046f298ea5aaaea5673cf~mv2.jpg)
Jørn Utzon (1918-2008) Sydney Opera House – Opened 1973
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Part of Renzo Piano’s structure on Genova Harbour is made up of huge steel spars, anchored to a point in the harbour and held in place by a complex arrangement of cables and pulleys. The spars fan out across the steel and fabric roof they suspend. The graduation in direction of the spars and rigging play a major part in the function and impact of the design.
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![Renzo Piano - Genova Harbour Project](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4897a5_1cfa0f018059479bab2318c5b171261c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_721,h_480,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/4897a5_1cfa0f018059479bab2318c5b171261c~mv2.jpg)
Renzo Piano - Genova Harbour Project