ArcelorMittal Orbit

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is a 115 meter high observation tower in the Olympic Park in Stratford, London. The steel sculpture is Britain's largest work of art in public spaces and to be a lasting memory of the 2012 Olympic Games. The tower was built between the Olympic Stadium and the Aquatics Centre. The visitors will be able to see the whole Olympic Park from two observation platforms from there.

History

In October 2008, decided by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and the British Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell that the emerging Olympic Park in Stratford a special attraction need to lift the East London of the skyline and the Londoners and visitors curiosity to wake. For this reason, a design competition was held, in which ideas for an "Olympic tower " of at least 100 meters (330 ft) height were sought. As a result of this competition to give 50 designs. The Orbit was the unanimous choice of a nine-member jury.

Johnson later said that his original project was not so great far as the later design.

When the media first unconfirmed details published this project in October 2009, showed Britain's richest man, Lakshmi Mittal, chairman of ArcelorMittal Group, interest in participating in the financing of the project. Originally he wanted to participate with around £ 15 million.

The Orbit was designed by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond and completed in 2012. The planned costs amounted to 19.1 million pounds, of which 16 million pounds Lakshmi Mittal bears. The remaining £ 3.1 million coming from the London Development Agency. The official name of the sculpture, " ArcelorMittal Orbit", combines the name of the company ArcelorMittal as the main sponsor of the project with the original working title of Kapoor and Balmond. Kapoor and Balmond believe Orbit is represented as a combination of sculpture and building a radical advance in the architectural field.