Jørn Utzon resigned from the Sydney Opera House project in 1966.
The Danish architect’s resignation came on 28 February 1966, after years of conflict involving escalating costs, political pressure, design changes and disagreements with the New South Wales government. The project had become one of the most contentious public works in Australia.
Utzon had won the international design competition in 1957, and construction began in 1959. His visionary design presented extraordinary structural and engineering challenges, especially the building’s roof shells and the unfinished interiors. As the government pressed for progress and greater control, the relationship deteriorated.
Utzon’s departure did not stop the project. Australian architects Peter Hall, Lionel Todd and David Littlemore formed the Hall, Todd and Littlemore partnership to complete the building. Hall became the design architect, while Todd handled contract documentation and Littlemore supervised construction. The Opera House officially opened in 1973, although Utzon was not present.