The ABC submits its detailed requirements for the Opera House's concert hall. ABC submits detailed requirements for concert hall June, 1966 Jorn Utzon and family leave Australia, never to return. He says in interview with The Daily Mirror "I'm overwhelmed but I think I can finish the Opera House." Utzon leaves Australia April 18, 1966 Peter Hall accepts the role of design architect for Stage Three. Hall accepts role of Design Architect April 10, 1966 Peter Hall at work with his colleagues (Supplied) They must complete the interior of both halls, as well as glass walls and other incomplete spaces. He is in charge of design, David Littlemore manages construction, Lionel Todd in charge of contracts and Ted Farmer is Chairman. Public Works minister Davis Hughes appoints a new panel of architects to complete the Opera House, headed by Peter Hall. Peter Hall appointed to Opera House project March 28, 1966 Utzon says "I don't think you can do it, I think you're a brave man to try, but I'm not going to be involved anymore". He does some research and speaks to Utzon by phone. Mr Humphrey says Utzon has resigned and is not coming back. Hall declines, pointing out that he had signed the petition demanding Utzon's return. Hall says no.Ī few weeks later Col Humphrey, the Director of Public Works, asks Hall again. He is not the first architect Farmer had approached. The Department of Public Works' Ted Farmer asks Peter Hall to work on Stage Three of the Opera House. Peter Hall is one of many architects who signs a petition calling for Utzon to be reinstalled.Īrchitecture students protest to reinstate Jorn Utzon (ABC Archive)ĭepartment of Public Works approaches Peter Hall March, 1966 Public rally calling for Utzon's return March 3, 1966Īrchitects head rally calling for Utzon's reinstatement. Ignoring advice to consult a solicitor, he has a resignation letter delivered to Hughes at 3pm. Utzon has a meeting with Minister for Public Works, Davis Hughes. Utzon resigns from Opera House project February 28, 1966 This leads to a deterioration in the relationship between architect and engineer that would become irrevocable. Ove Arup gives report to Government saying that Utzon's proposed plywood ceilings for the halls are not viable. Utzon's ceilings deemed not viable by engineer January, 1966 Hughes wants approval from design engineer Ove Arup that the scheme is viable and asks for a report. Utzon asks for money to prototype solutions for the hall ceilings. Utzon seeks funding to prototype ceiling fix December, 1965 Bob Askin becomes Premier and Country Party leader Davis Hughes appointed Minister for Public Works.
Coalition defeats Labor at NSW election 1 May, 1965 Stage One, the podium, is completed in the time the entire project was supposed to have been finished. Podium completed long after due date January, 1963 One of Jorn Utzon's early models for the Opera House (Supplied: Sydney Opera House)