David Surrey Littlemore
David Surrey Gibson Littlemore (24 June 1910 – 10 September 1989) was one of Australia's most distinguished architects. Littlemore was one of the first life fellows of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. He was head of construction supervision in the consortium Hall Todd & Littlemore appointed by the NSW Government Architect to complete the Sydney Opera House in April 1966 when Mr Jørn Utzon resigned his commission from the NSW Government.
Also recorded as David Surrey Gibson Littlemore AO
David Surrey Littlemore
- Name
- David Surrey Littlemore
- Birth Name
- David Surrey Gibson Littlemore
- Born
- 24 June 1910
- Birthplace
- Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia
- Died
- 10 September 1989
- Place of death
- Longueville, New South Wales, Australia
- Occupation
- Architect
- Education
- The Scots College
- Awards
- Office of Order of Australia
- Spouse
- Sylvia Nora Lidwill (m.1936) Agnes Mould Curry (m.1942–89; his death)
- Honours
- Officer of the Order of Australia
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David Surrey Gibson Littlemore (24 June 1910 – 10 September 1989) was one of Australia's most distinguished architects. Littlemore was one of the first life fellows of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. He was head of construction supervision in the consortium Hall Todd & Littlemore appointed by the NSW Government Architect to complete the Sydney Opera House in April 1966 when Mr Jørn Utzon resigned his commission from the NSW Government.
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David Surrey Littlemore (1910–1989) was an architect. The architect was born in Bundaberg. David Surrey Littlemore received Officer of the Order of Australia.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
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In this article
Biography
Biography
Peter Hall was design architect and Lionel Todd was responsible for contract documentation.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — David Surrey Littlemore • Birth Name — David Surrey Gibson Littlemore • Born — 24 June 1910 • Birthplace — Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia • Died — 10 September 1989 • Place of death — Longueville, New South Wales, Australia • Occupation — Architect • Notable Works — Qantas House, Sydney Opera House interiors • Education — The Scots College • Awards — Office of Order of Australia • Spouse — Sylvia Nora Lidwill (m.1936) Agnes Mould Curry (m.1942–89; his death) • Relatives — Sons David Lidwill Littlemore (1936—2022) Stuart Littlemore
Career
Career
Littlemore's career began with the design of a sugar mill in his home town of Bundaberg when he was 14, followed by study and design work with Sydney architect Mr Emil Sodersten. He became a partner in Rudder, Littlemore, and Rudder, which won a Royal Institute of British Architects' Bronze Medal for the Qantas Building located at 1 Chifley Square in Sydney's CBD. "Qantas House" was added to the New South Wales Government State Heritage Register.
Improvisation and design skills
Improvisation and design skills
Littlemore was known for his ability to improvise solutions and to resolve complex design problems. In New Guinea in the 1950s he built aircraft maintenance hangars by stringing cables between trees and suspending roofs from them.
Design and construction of the Sydney Opera House
Design and construction of the Sydney Opera House
Littlemore was in charge of construction in the Hall Todd & Littlemore consortium that was responsible for the design and construction of Stage 3 of the Sydney Opera House from 1966 until the building was completed in 1973.
Later years
Later years
Littlemore served for 10 years on the Council of Macquarie University and was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 1979 for services to architecture. He died in Longueville in Sydney's north shore in 1989.
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “David Surrey Littlemore”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q23073709: David Surrey Littlemore
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Chapter 20: Stage 3 Hall, Todd, Littlemore and Farmer - the Opera House Project.
- 2.Lumby, Roy. Peter Brian Hall (1931–1995). Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
- 3.Wotson, Annie. The Poisoned Chalice: Peter Hall and the Sydney Opera House. opusSOH. 36–39. 2017. 9780646967394.
- 4.Environment New South Wales Heritage Register - http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5049926
- 5.Mr David Surrey Gibson LITTLEMORE. Australian Honours Search Facility. 26 January 1979.
- 6.Shared Article. smharchives.smedia.com.au.
References
Citations
References
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reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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