BID TO RETAIN UTZON’S SERVICES

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31006, 11 March 1966, Page 11

BID TO RETAIN UTZON’S SERVICES

(N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) SYDNEY, Mar. 10. The New South Wales Institute of Architects today said that it would have no part in organising a team or panel of architects to complete Sydney’s opera house, on which architectural work has come to a standstill after the recent resignation of its Danish designer, Mr Joem Utzon. The president of the New South Wales Chapter Coun-

cfl, Mr R. A. Gilling, who announced the decision, said it was unthinkable that the opera house should be completed without Mr Utzon. “There will be no retreat from this position,” he said.

“I am still trying to arrange a further meeting today between the Minister for Works, Mr Hughes, and Mr Utzon in an effort to retain Mr Utzon's services on the project. “The institute chapter believes in the competency of Mr Utzon as architect, but supports moves to provide proper administration and technical control of the construction. “It is obvious the architec-

tural profession deplores any situation where costs seem to be rising uncontrolled and construction time is unlimited. “Ridiculous” Claim “For anyone to say Mr Utzon is entirely to blame for the present situation is ridiculous,” he said. Mr Gilling added that "the institute would have no part in organising or providing a team or panel of architects. That is not our function,” he said.

“It is the responsibility of the Government only after Mr Utzon’s services have been properly terminated.” The final cost of the opera

house “could be anything” the Minister for Public Works, Mr Davis Hughes, said today. Latest estimate of 150 million dollars—without parking —was still in the “realm of guesswork.” This also applied to Mr i Utzon’s estimate of December, 1969, as the date of completion. Completion Date Mr Hughes said he could not commit himself to a final date, or an ultimate costs figure. “Unfortunately,” he said,

“estimates for completion and costs are still up in the air. “The figure of 50 million dollars was suggested without the benefit of working plans.” Mr Hughes said that his immediate task was to proceed with the opera house construction with working plans that would embrace both costs and a timetable He said that no time would be lost in proceeding on this basis.

“Any fear that it will involve economies that will cheapen the concept is without foundation,” he said.

“I want to assure the public that this will not be the case.”