Opera House, Copenhagen: Outstanding Roof Structure

The Opera House in Copenhagen has received the 2008 International Association for Bridge & Structural Engineering's Outstanding Structure Award, principally in recognition of the innovative design of its roof. "This award is the big one in our world of structures."

The roof of the Opera House is one of the largest canopy roof structures in the world, with horizontal dimensions of 158 m × 90 m—about the size of three football pitches. An innovative design was developed for the roof to ensure the necessary strength, stability and dynamic response, whilst at the same time appearing light and slender. The main construction concept for the roof structure is taken directly from modern steel bridge design.