In 1970 an international architectural competition was launched based on a program to build a cultural and arts complex in the centre of historic Paris set out by French President Georges Pompidou. Chaired by the French architect Jean Prouvé, the prize-winners selected by the jury were Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers and Gianfranco Franchini, assisted by Ove Arup & Partners. The structural engineers in charge on Arup's behalf were the Englishman Edmund Happold and the Irishman Peter Rice who had already worked together on the structural design for the Sydney Opera House. Construction work started in April 1972 and work on the metal framework was begun in September 1974. On February 2nd 1977, the Centre Pompidou opened its doors to the public.