Up at the O2
It was the most visited building in the world in the millennium year and had better visitor satisfaction numbers than Disney. But the Dome took years to recover from the battering the press gave it following opening night security problems.
As a construction project, it was a remarkable success. A unique landmark building, completed on time and delivered under budget, the Dome cost less per m2 than a retail park shed.
12 years on, and with the Olympic gymnastics taking place 50m below, we went back to experience the brilliant new walk over the Dome roof ‘up at the O2’. The architect, the engineer and two of the project managers (all now involved in Designing Buildings Wiki) re-united and curious to see what they had done to ‘our’ building.
This was a chance to see the Dome from a different perspective. It was fantastic to think that way down below us, athletes were competing for Olympic gold in the world's busiest music arena. It’s a great legacy.
‘Up at the 02’ itself is genuinely like climbing a mountain, and the view from the top is spectacular. Canary Wharf, the Olympic Park and the Dome spread out below us and the Shard in the distance, all testimony to what our industry is capable of.
If you’re not already, follow us on Twitter @DesigningB to be kept up to date with the latest additions to the site and to share your feedback with us.
Featured articles and news
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.