Papers relating to the withdrawal of Jorn Utzon from the Sydney Opera House project, 1964-1966

MLMSS 7407

fonds

1964-1966

Textual Records, Clippings

441837

Microfilm : CY 4456, frames 1-274 (MLMSS 7407)

Albums
Textual Records
Clippings

John Neville was a practising architect and a member of the NSW chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, during 1966 when Jorn Utzon withdrew from the Sydney Opera House project. Neville lobbied the government for Utzon's reinstatement. He also lobbied the RAIA to take a stronger stand in opposing Utzon's treatment by the government and to call for his reinstatement

Albums:
1966; Utzon in charge 1 & 2 [chiefly Sydney Morning Herald & other newscuttings, also correspondence and statements from the NSW chapter of the RAIA]. These were compiled by Tom O'Mahony, who was in practice with Neville (Call No.: MLMSS 7407)
Manuscripts:
1966; Neville's notes taken as events unfolded throughout 1966 (manuscript & typescript), incl. detailed essay drafts about Utzon & the Opera House project, intended for publication; correspondence to Neville & press statements from RAIA & Royal Institute of British Architects (this includes comments by Jack Zunz on an unpublished article written by Neville about the dismissal for the RIBA journal); correspondence between Neville & government departments, regarding the treatment of Utzon and urging negotiation; copy of Utzon's resignation letter (Call No.: MLMSS 7407)
Printed:
1966; NSW Parliamentary Debates (proofs) Nos. 51,52,54,55,63, Nation Nos.145 (1964),192,226, Oz magazine March No. 26, Cross-Section Issue Nos. 162,163, Atelier journal of the Architecture Club, April (Call No.: MLMSS 7407)
Newscuttings:
1966; News stories, editorials & letters to the editor, chiefly from the Sydney Morning Herald but also The Age, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun-Herald, The Sun, The Daily Mirror & Honi Soit (Call No.: MLMSS 7407)

Chronological

Jorn Utzon's appointment as architect for the Sydney Opera House resulted from his winning entry in a world-wide competition held in 1957. Initially Utzon was granted much creative freedom by the NSW Labor Government, however spiralling costs and logistical delays resulted in the government later seeking tighter control of the project. On 28 February 1966, Utzon resigned from the project, on the grounds of non-payment of outstanding fees, however by this stage his relationship with the government was generally acrimonious and he felt that he was not accorded the respect he deserved as architect of the project.