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Sydney Opera House - a rhythm of white shells

Large display model: 10 separate curved white roofs arranged 4+4+2, a low sand-coloured terrace, dark facades and steps. Build in stages and preserve the gaps between the shells.

Age
8–12 years
Length
approx. 42 h
Level
Hard
Where you teach
Home
Purpose
Creative
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. Four base modules
  2. Cover the modules
  3. A 320 × 220 mm base
  4. Reinforce the base seams
  5. The low terrace
  6. Three entrance steps
  7. A1: rib profiles
  8. A1: transverse arches
  9. A1: two braces
  10. A1: stand the ribs
  11. A1: joined frame
  12. A1: self-supporting frame
  13. A2: rib profiles
  14. A2: transverse arches
  15. A2: two braces
  16. A2: stand the ribs
  17. A2: joined frame
  18. A2: self-supporting frame
  19. A3: rib profiles
  20. A3: transverse arches
  21. A3: two braces
  22. A3: stand the ribs
  23. A3: joined frame
  24. A3: self-supporting frame
  25. A4: rib profiles
  26. A4: transverse arches
  27. A4: two braces
  28. A4: stand the ribs
  29. A4: joined frame
  30. A4: self-supporting frame
  31. B1: rib profiles
  32. B1: transverse arches
  33. B1: two braces
  34. B1: stand the ribs
  35. B1: joined frame
  36. B1: self-supporting frame
  37. B2: rib profiles
  38. B2: transverse arches
  39. B2: two braces
  40. B2: stand the ribs
  41. B2: joined frame
  42. B2: self-supporting frame
  43. B3: rib profiles
  44. B3: transverse arches
  45. B3: two braces
  46. B3: stand the ribs
  47. B3: joined frame
  48. B3: self-supporting frame
  49. B4: rib profiles
  50. B4: transverse arches
  51. B4: two braces
  52. B4: stand the ribs
  53. B4: joined frame
  54. B4: self-supporting frame
  55. C1: rib profiles
  56. C1: transverse arches
  57. C1: two braces
  58. C1: stand the ribs
  59. C1: joined frame
  60. C1: self-supporting frame
  61. C2: rib profiles
  62. C2: transverse arches
  63. C2: two braces
  64. C2: stand the ribs
  65. C2: joined frame
  66. C2: self-supporting frame
  67. A1: support one bay
  68. A1: lower half of the covering
  69. A1: complete covering
  70. A1: remove the support
  71. A2: support one bay
  72. A2: lower half of the covering
  73. A2: complete covering
  74. A2: remove the support
  75. A3: support one bay
  76. A3: lower half of the covering
  77. A3: complete covering
  78. A3: remove the support
  79. A4: support one bay
  80. A4: lower half of the covering
  81. A4: complete covering
  82. A4: remove the support
  83. B1: support one bay
  84. B1: lower half of the covering
  85. B1: complete covering
  86. B1: remove the support
  87. B2: support one bay
  88. B2: lower half of the covering
  89. B2: complete covering
  90. B2: remove the support
  91. B3: support one bay
  92. B3: lower half of the covering
  93. B3: complete covering
  94. B3: remove the support
  95. B4: support one bay
  96. B4: lower half of the covering
  97. B4: complete covering
  98. B4: remove the support
  99. C1: support one bay
  100. C1: lower half of the covering
  101. C1: complete covering
  102. C1: remove the support
  103. C2: support one bay
  104. C2: lower half of the covering
  105. C2: complete covering
  106. C2: remove the support
  107. Supports for feet and braces
  108. Dark facades
  109. Facades below the roofs
  110. A1: mount on the terrace
  111. A2: mount on the terrace
  112. A3: mount on the terrace
  113. A4: mount on the terrace
  114. B1: mount on the terrace
  115. B2: mount on the terrace
  116. B3: mount on the terrace
  117. B4: mount on the terrace
  118. C1: mount on the terrace
  119. C2: mount on the terrace
  120. The rhythm of ten white shells

What gets built

Build a three-dimensional composition of the characteristic roofs.

What it practises
  • Building curved shells on a frame of flat profiles.
  • Planning supports, welds and the assembly sequence of a large model.

Success criteria
  • Compare with the approved preview.png: 10 roofs, a 4+4+2 arrangement, A1 and B1 facing opposite to the other roofs in their rows, and C1 opposite to C2. Check the gaps, curves and stability on the table.
  • The curved roofs remain visibly separate, the model stands on a flat base and no paper remains inside.
  • The outer height including strand thickness is about 126 mm; the tip in the centreline sketch remains at 124 mm.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration
Also
3D pen, power supply and stand: 1 set, 3D pen mat: 1 mat, at least A4, White, sand-coloured and dark grey PLA: 3 colours, A4 paper: 12 sheets + 1 complete set of printed templates, Ruler at least 30 cm long: 1 ruler, Pencil: 1 pencil

Files

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Version e87380e8-55a5-41aa-b99f-f25d88ea64ba Updated 2026-10-06

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