<P> Peter Hall (1931--1995) completed a combined arts and architecture degree at Sydney University . Upon graduation a travel scholarship enabled him to spend twelve months in Europe during which time he visited Utzon in Hellebæk . Returning to Sydney, Hall worked for the Government Architect, a branch of the NSW Public Works Department . While there he established himself as a talented design architect with a number of court and university buildings, including the Goldstein Hall at the University of New South Wales, which won the Sir John Sulman Medal in 1964 . </P> <P> Hall resigned from the Government Architects office in early 1966 to pursue his own practice . When approached to take on the design role, (after at least two prominent Sydney architects had declined), Hall spoke with Utzon by phone before accepting the position . Utzon reportedly told Hall: he (Hall) would not be able to finish the job and the Government would have to invite him back . Hall also sought the advice of others, including architect Don Gazzard who warned him acceptance would be a bad career move as the project would "never be his own". </P> <P> Hall agreed to accept the role on the condition there was no possibility of Utzon returning . Even so, his appointment did not go down well with many of his fellow architects who considered that no one but Utzon should complete the Sydney Opera House . Upon Utzon's dismissal, a rally of protest had marched to Bennelong Point . A petition was also circulated, including in the Government Architects office . Peter Hall was one of the many who had signed the petition that called for Utzon's reinstatement . </P> <P> When Hall agreed to the design role and was appointed in April 1966, he imagined he would find the design and documentation for the Stage III well advanced . What he found was an enormous amount of work ahead of him with many aspects completely unresolved by Utzon in relation to seating capacity, acoustics and structure . In addition Hall found the project had proceeded for nine years without the development of a concise client brief . To bring himself up to speed, Hall investigated concert and opera venues overseas and engaged stage consultant Ben Schlange and acoustic consultant Wilhelm Jordan, while establishing his team . In consultation with all the potential building users the first Review of Program was completed in January 1967 . The most significant conclusion reached by Hall was that concert and opera were incompatible in the same hall . Although Utzon had sketched ideas using plywood for the great enclosing glass walls their structural viability was unresolved when Hall took on the design role . With the ability to delegate tasks and effectively coordinate the work of consultants, Hall guided the project for over five years until the opening day in 1973 . </P>

When did they start building the opera house