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Thank you. It's a wintry day on January 29, 1957, in Denmark.

Architect Jan Utsin holds his wife's hand as they walk through the woods.

The couple enjoy the forest calm as they follow the trail away from their home. Even in the heart of winter, Yon is grateful for any chance to take

refuge in the outdoors. So they've left their newborn in the care of their 10-year-old daughter

while they get a little peace and quiet. But the tranquility of the forest is interrupted by the sound of shouting in the distance.

The couple instantly recognizes the sound of their daughter's voice, and they stop dead in their

tracks. Yon immediately begins to fear the worst. He and his wife start running back in the direction

of their home. Yon's thoughts race with nightmare scenarios. He fears he's made

a terrible mistake in trusting the baby with his daughter. But before the couple can get to the

house, their daughter comes into view, riding on a bicycle. She hops off and Yon dashes toward her.

When they meet, he's confused to find a wide grin across his daughter's

face. Someone from Sydney is on the phone, she tells him, they want to speak with you. You've won

the prize. On January 29, 1957, Jan Udsen is announced as the winner of the design competition for the Sydney Opera House.

The Opera House will be built on Benalong Point, a slim piece of land sticking out into Sydney Harbor.

The specifications for the competition were daunting.

The Opera House must be spacious enough to host large audiences, yet

also fit on a very narrow area of land, and it must be architecturally appealing from every

direction. After competing against 233 entries, yawns won out. But though his design will be

...