SYDNEY, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, work began on the largest construction project at Sydney Opera House since it opened in 1973. The Vehicle Access and Pedestrian Safety (VAPS) project takes the Forecourt offline and hoardings have been erected around the site to allow construction to proceed. With more than 8.2 million visitors to the site each year, our new initiative, Housemates, invites people everywhere to share the hoardings with their portraits and testimonials.

To become a Housemate all you need to do is apply through www.sydneyoperahouse.com/housemates. There you can upload a photo of yourself or tell us why you think Sydney Opera House is so special to you. Your photos and tributes will be revealed to the world in May and remain on display until the end of the year.

You don't need to be a celebrity, you don't need to be an artist and you don't even need to be from Sydney – we just want you to be part of the best address in the world. Housemates will become a tribute to human diversity with a common love of Sydney Opera House, one of the world's masterpieces of human creative genius.

HOW TO APPLY
1) Head to www.sydneyoperahouse.com/housemates.
2) Upload your photo and tell us why Sydney Opera House is special to you. Applications close: midnight, Friday 22 April 2011.

The Vehicle Access and Pedestrian Safety (VAPS) Project

The VAPS Project will enhance visitor safety by removing heavy vehicles from the Forecourt to a new underground loading dock. This will allow pedestrians to have safe and exclusive access to all Sydney Opera House facilities at Forecourt level. VAPS commenced in February this year and the project will be completed in mid-2013.

Sydney Opera House

In giving the world one of the 20th century's greatest buildings, Jorn Utzon changed the creative and cultural landscape of Australia forever. Sydney Opera House is committed to continuing the legacy of Utzon's creative genius by creating, producing and presenting the most acclaimed, imaginative and engaging performing arts experiences from Australia and around the world.

SOURCE Sydney Opera House