Opera House Architect Leaves

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30998, 2 March 1966, Page 17

Opera House Architect Leaves

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY, March 1.

An argument over 80,(100 dollars’ worth of material led to the dramatic resignation of the Opera House architect, Mr Joern Utzon late yesterday, the “Sun” reported today.

Mr Utzon abruptly walked out of a meeting with the Minister for Public Works, Mr Davis Hughes, when told that plywood he had recommended for interior work was not to be used.

The plywood authorised by Mr Hughes and experts of the Public Works Department was of different dimensions to that favoured by Mr Utzon. ]t was also 180,000 dollars cheaper than the timber Mr ! Utzon insisted on using. Mr

Hughes would not give in to Mr Utzon.

His departmental advisers considered their choice of plywood would not lower the standard set by Mr Utzon for the interior of the Opera House.

Mr Hughes took personal control over the soaring costs of the Opera House last October. Since then he is believed to have had many arguments with Mr Utzon. Most have been in connexion with economies on interior construction. These have stemmed from tenders which the Minister insisted on calling for all work done and material supplied. Yesterday’s discussion between Mr Utzon, Mr Hughes and Public Works Department experts was the last straw for the architect. When he realised that Mr Hughes would not budge on the plywood question, Mr Utzon walked out. It is believed that Mr Hughes and Mr Utzon also clashed two weeks ago when Mr Hughes suggested that the architect’s contract be reviewed.

Mr Hughes and Govern

ment members considered this should be done because mounting costs of the Opera House construction were adding all the time to Mr Utzon’s fees.

Before he entered Cabinet today, Mr Hughes said: “Whatever I have to tell Parliament will be in answer to questions only. “I intend to have the Opera House completed as quickly and economically as possible.

“I shall give Cabinet the broad outlines of my proposals for its completion and seek approval of them.” Mr Hughes refused to discuss the details of Mr Utzon’s verbal resignation. The cost has risen from the 7,200,000 dollars approved by Parliament to an estimated 50 million dollars. This figure does not include an estimated 4 million dollars for parking. Both Government and Opposition backbenchers today said they would press Mr Hughes for the fullest details of Mr Utzon’s resignation. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr J. B. Renshaw, called for a “full and frank" statement from the Government,