Hall Of Opera House To Be Redesigned

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 17

Hall Of Opera House To Be Redesigned

CN.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

SYDNEY, June 3.

The New South Wales Public Works Minister (Mr Hughes) announced last night that he had authorised the redesigning of the major hall in the Sydney Opera House.

The Danish architect, Mr Joern Utzon, resigned from the opera house project in February after a dispute with Mr Hughes. A panel of architects appointed by Mr Hughes replaced Mr Utzon. The reassessment of the design of the major hall would include a reassessment of seating, the acoustics and other aspects, Mr Hughes said. He could not tell whether the redesigning would increase the cost of the opera house, or extend the esti-

mated completion date beyond late 1969. Mr Hughes said the decision to redesign the major hall came after examination of plans received from Mr Utzon.

Mr Utzon handed his plans for the interior to the Government on May 17, and received a cheque for 168,000. What ever the cost, the redesigning would have to be done to provide extra seating, Mr Hughes said. Mr Hughes said examination of the plans had revealed serious deficiences in the seating accommodation. The plans provided for rea sonable seating for only 1800 people, whereas all evidence given by Mr Utzon to the Opera House Trust had previously indicated the major hall would seat 2800 people.