CAPSULE

Synopsis

An Engineer Imagines is a cinematic homage to the life and ideas of Peter Rice widely regarded as the most distinguished engineer of the late twentieth century. Without his innovations and collaborations with the leading architects of his time, some of the most recognizable buildings in the world would not have been possible.

The film traces Rice’s extraordinary work, from his native Ireland through, London, Sydney and Paris, to his untimely and tragic death in 1992.

Directed by 2014 BAFTA Award- winning cinematographer and director Marcus Robinson, the film is a visual crie de couer to a visionary designer. Boasting the director’s trademark, spectacular time-lapse photography, the film brings Rice’s inspiring creations to life to give a real sense of being located in the present day, almost as if Rice were still alive. Marcus Robinson describes the filmmaking process, “Filming and directing this homage to one of the world’s greatest structural engineers has been a moving and life affirming experience. It is as though at every step of the way, we have been guided by the transcendent spirit of Peter Rice, brought to life by the loving words of those who knew him best and by the extraordinary buildings that bear his innovative touch.”

Through a series of interviews with former colleagues, family and friends, interwoven with the stunning time-lapse photography, we unfold the remarkable story of one of the great minds of the twentieth century; how man pushed the boundaries of art and science achieve the unimaginable. A genius who stood in the shadow of architectural icons. Until now.

Synopsis

An Engineer Imagines is a cinematic homage to the life and ideas of Peter Rice widely regarded as the most distinguished structural engineer of the late twentieth century. Without his innovations and collaborations with the leading architects of his time, some of the most recognizable buildings in the world would not have been possible. The film traces Rice’s extraordinary work, from his native Ireland through, London, Sydney and Paris, to his untimely and tragic death in 1992. Through a series of interviews with his former colleagues, family and friends, interwoven with stunning time-lapse photography, we begin to understand the workings of one of the great minds and unsung heroes of the twentieth century. This is the story of a man who pushed the boundaries of art and science to achieve the unimaginable.

Sydney Opera House

Architect: Jørn Utzon

Construction completed 1959 – 1973

Installing the A4 glass walls of the Sydney Opera House, 1971

Photo: Harry Sowden, © Arup

South side of the Sydney Opera House, c 1990

Photo: © David Messent

Centre Pompidou, Paris

Architects: Richard Rogers, Su Rogers, Renzo Piano, along with Gianfranco Franchini.

Construction completed 1971 – 1977

Beaubourg under construction, 1975

Photo: © Bernard Vincent

Preparing gerberette for install on Beaubourg site, 1975

Photo: © Bernard Vincent

The Full Moon Theatre

Construction completed 1991 – 1993

Full Moon Theatre, 1991

Photo: © Humbert Camerlo

Full Moon Theatre, 1991

Photo: © Humbert Camerlo