The Sydney Opera House turns 50 this week. Here, we speak with one of the engineers involved in its construction.
When Peter Thompson began work on the project as a junior engineer in 1958, he had no idea of how momentous a decision that would come to be.
“It started just as a job,” he told create. “But then people were coming from everywhere wanting to work on it … It became a celebrity.”
The building, the construction of which was led by engineer Ove Arup and based on plans by architect Jørn Utzon, was awarded an engineering heritage international marker from Engineers Australia in 2022. The accolade joined numerous other awards the building has received over the years.
Its since had a enduring legacy on visitors and locals — not to mention the engineers involved.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the Opera House — no doubt about it,” Thompson said. “It gave me an incredible amount of confidence in my own ability.
“Where else is there a building like that in the whole world?”
Watch the interview with Thompson marking the 50-year anniversary below.
