Main author
Michael BrooksThe Atomium
See the Unusual building design of the week series here.
The Atomium, in Brussels, Belgium, was the main pavilion and iconic image of the World Fair of 1958 (Expo 58). It is now a museum and tourist attraction. The building is 102 m (335 ft) tall, and consists of nine interconnected spheres, representing an elementary iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times.
The philosophy behind the design, by the engineer Andre Waterkeyn, was that it would symbolise a positive and democratic faith in technological progress and offer an optimistic vision of a modern scientific future.
The Atomium is made up of 8 spheres at the apexes of the structure, and 1 in the centre, each 18 m (59 ft) in diameter. The 9 spheres are connected by 20 tubes, each 29 m long. The whole composition rests on 3 supporting structures.
Stairs, escalators and a lift allow access to five of the spheres which are open to the public, and contain exhibition halls. The highest sphere contains a restaurant with panoramic views of Brussels.
In 2004, renovation works began, and lasted nearly 3 years. These works included replacing the aluminium cladding with stainless steel. The aluminium was sold as souvenirs to help pay for the renovation.
Despite originally being intended as a temporary structure, its popularity and success led to it becoming a permanent landmark and a national symbol of Belgium.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Ark Encounter, Kentucky.
- Blur Building.
- Building of the week series.
- Cube Houses.
- Dali Theatre and Museum.
- Dunmore Pineapple.
- Lotus Temple.
- Robot Building, Bangkok.
- Sage Gateshead.
- The Big Basket.
- Theme Building, LAX
- Titanic Belfast.
- Unusual building design of the week.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
George Demetri brings a whole new level of technical knowledge to Designing Buildings Wiki.
Quality professionals need to take an active role in driving the completion process forwards.
The innovations needed to move from rhetoric to realisation.
Gresham's School Britten Building
Creating a sense of place, with radically-low running costs and the highest comfort levels.
A conversation between David Mitchell and Caitlin DeSilvey.
A quick guide to brick sizes.
The Union Street development in Southwark was a passion, as well as a business endeavour.
Do our water quality standards demonstrate to the public that their supply is clean?
A third of practitioners do not have easy access to the knowledge they need.
Sustainable approaches to relief, recovery and reconstruction after a natural disaster.
An introduction to a complex issue, the legal status of which remains unclear.
Dealing with the fats, oils and greases that enter the sewer system.