Mike Cattell
The Atomium, Heysel, Belgium
Designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn for the International Exhibition of Brussels, that took place here in 1958, the Atomium is a structure that is half way between sculpture and architecture, symbolising an iron crystal by the scale of its atoms, magnified 165 billion times.
Work was started in March 1956. Made entirely of steel clad with aluminium, the structure dominates the Heysel plateau. The particular position chosen for the cube, i.e., resting on one sphere with a vertical diagonal, was essentially dictated by esthetical reasons. Such a position made it of course necessary to insure the stability of the structure by three bipods. The nine large spheres joined by tubes which comprise the Atomium, are arranged in the configuration of a central cubic system. These spheres were fitted out by the architects André and Jean Polak.
The Atomium was not intended to survive the Exhibition of 1958. Its popularity and success, however, ensured its place as a major landmark on the Brussels skyline.
Today, the condition of the Atomium requires renovation work. This will start in 2003, thanks to aid from the federal state of Belgium, in collaboration with the Region of Brussels Capital and the City of Brussels.
Dimensions of the Atomium
The Atomium is 334.6. ft. high ; the spheres have a diameter of 59.0 ft ; weight of 2400 tons.
The distance between the spheres, measured on the sides of the cube, is 95.1 ft ; the diameter of the tubes is 9.8 ft. The diagonal tubes are 75.4 ft long and of 10.8 ft diameter.
The diameter of the pavilion on which the base sphere appears to rest is 85.3 ft.
The base sphere rests on the foundation via the central tube of 10.8 ft diameter and twelve columns of 16.4 ft height.
The circular cut-out- in the lower part of the sphere has a diameter of 32.8 ft.
The bipods are 295.3 ft apart and their articulations are 164 ft away from the central mast. Each of the three bipods weighing over 110 tons.
The escalators installed inside the tubes of the Atomium are amongst the longest in Europe. The largest is 114.8 ft long. They can take 3,000 persons per hour.
The elevator speed – the highest in Europe – is 16.4 ft/sec. It takes visitors up to the top sphere in 23 seconds and its capacity is 22 persons.
A floor has an area of 2,583 sq.ft and the height between floors is approximately 14.8 ft. The restaurant in the top sphere can sit 140 persons and the viewpoint situated below can contain 250 persons.
The stairs inside the bipods – which are 115 ft high – have approximately 200 steps.
A scientific exhibition of the peaceful uses of atomic energy will be held in the reception hall, the base sphere and two lower spheres, as well as on the first floor of the central sphere.
The Atomium, Heysel, Belgium
Designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn for the International Exhibition of Brussels, that took place here in 1958, the Atomium is a structure that is half way between sculpture and architecture, symbolising an iron crystal by the scale of its atoms, magnified 165 billion times.
Work was started in March 1956. Made entirely of steel clad with aluminium, the structure dominates the Heysel plateau. The particular position chosen for the cube, i.e., resting on one sphere with a vertical diagonal, was essentially dictated by esthetical reasons. Such a position made it of course necessary to insure the stability of the structure by three bipods. The nine large spheres joined by tubes which comprise the Atomium, are arranged in the configuration of a central cubic system. These spheres were fitted out by the architects André and Jean Polak.
The Atomium was not intended to survive the Exhibition of 1958. Its popularity and success, however, ensured its place as a major landmark on the Brussels skyline.
Today, the condition of the Atomium requires renovation work. This will start in 2003, thanks to aid from the federal state of Belgium, in collaboration with the Region of Brussels Capital and the City of Brussels.
Dimensions of the Atomium
The Atomium is 334.6. ft. high ; the spheres have a diameter of 59.0 ft ; weight of 2400 tons.
The distance between the spheres, measured on the sides of the cube, is 95.1 ft ; the diameter of the tubes is 9.8 ft. The diagonal tubes are 75.4 ft long and of 10.8 ft diameter.
The diameter of the pavilion on which the base sphere appears to rest is 85.3 ft.
The base sphere rests on the foundation via the central tube of 10.8 ft diameter and twelve columns of 16.4 ft height.
The circular cut-out- in the lower part of the sphere has a diameter of 32.8 ft.
The bipods are 295.3 ft apart and their articulations are 164 ft away from the central mast. Each of the three bipods weighing over 110 tons.
The escalators installed inside the tubes of the Atomium are amongst the longest in Europe. The largest is 114.8 ft long. They can take 3,000 persons per hour.
The elevator speed – the highest in Europe – is 16.4 ft/sec. It takes visitors up to the top sphere in 23 seconds and its capacity is 22 persons.
A floor has an area of 2,583 sq.ft and the height between floors is approximately 14.8 ft. The restaurant in the top sphere can sit 140 persons and the viewpoint situated below can contain 250 persons.
The stairs inside the bipods – which are 115 ft high – have approximately 200 steps.
A scientific exhibition of the peaceful uses of atomic energy will be held in the reception hall, the base sphere and two lower spheres, as well as on the first floor of the central sphere.