A meeting of two generations of inspiring engineers – both looking to the next generation Tuesday, 03 May 2016

Image: Dr John Connell AM presents Peter Bowtell with the Structural College John Connell Gold Medal.

Engineering icon and centenarian, Dr John Connell AM, presented Peter Bowtell with the 2015 Structural College John Connell Gold Medal for service to the profession of engineering, spending time together to discuss their shared interest in all things engineering.

Peter, who has over 35 years’ experience in consulting engineering, was awarded the medal for his leadership in innovative structural solutions for city-shaping projects, in particular his work on the Marina Bay Sands Development in Singapore and home town projects such as the MCG Northern Stand, AAMI Park and Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

Currently a Principal and Board Member at Arup, Peter represents the Australasia Region on the global Arup University Council and holds the role of Global Digital Environments Skills Leader. His passion for work of engineers in the community is reflected in his support for Engineers Without Boards as Board Member and in representing Engineers Australia on the Architects Registration Board.

Peter’s dedication to the future of the profession and to the development of the structural engineers of tomorrow, has seen him forge new linkages with academia, research partners, industry bodies and community organisations across the globe. He has a particular interest in the research and development of tools which enhance digital transformation in the built environment to deliver more sustainable, efficient solutions and has led a number of industry and university collaborations and research endeavours.

One of the most prestigious structural engineering awards in Australia, the medal is named after Dr Connell for his outstanding contribution to the practise of structural engineering in Australia.

“You’ve inspired a generation of engineers” Peter said as he paid tribute to Dr Connell’s extraordinary career. 

After serving in World War II and studying structural engineering at what is now known as RMIT University, Dr Connell established his own company, John Connell & Associates in the 1950s (now amalgamated to Aurecon in 2009). Dr Connell and Peter discussed his legacy on home town Melbourne, leading city-shaping projects like the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop and the Melbourne Arts Centre, and pioneering the export of Australian engineering expertise to the world.

Dr Connell revealed to Peter his love for travelling the world during his career and visiting landmark engineering projects. They discussed Peter's international projects like the Marina Bay Sands Development, the multi-disciplinary engineering approach used for the project (something that Dr Connell led in his practice), and the use of innovative software technologies. The passion for developing and using new technologies is a trait both seen throughout Dr Connell’s and Peter's careers.

Dr Connell enquired of his former engineering friend, Arup leader John Nutt, with whom he met regularly to discuss the engineering issues of the day, noting that “whilst engineers can be competitors, they can also be great colleagues”.

In accepting the medal Peter said he was humbled to be recognised for his contribution to structural engineering by an icon of the profession and thanked Dr Connell for this incredible honour.