Vessels of Expression and Flows of Innovation
Abstract
Abstract The current renovation of the Sydney Opera House was taken as an opportunity to investigate the relationship between building design, industrial design, and product manufacturing. Technical documents, focused interviews, and industrial statistics have been used to analyze the design of the original toilet bowls in this famous building, evaluate their success, and explain the reasons for their eventual substitution with a product-based rather than a project-based item. The conclusions show that, while successful market penetration may still benefit from some form of association between specific products and specific buildings, technological development cannot afford to impinge upon individual architectural opportunities. When it comes to industrial design, buildings function as innovation test beds (and marketing opportunities) rather than innovation seeds.