The ArcelorMittal Orbit Official Opening

I was lucky enough to be invited to the opening of the ArcelorMittal Orbit on the Olympic Park this week and what a transformation from when I last went up it in February. The viewing platforms are fitted out, the lifts are installed and the views are breathtaking.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit is set to become a beacon of East London both day and night after feature lighting was added to the UK’s largest sculpture.

The visitor attraction will be lit by 250 colour spot lights that can be individually controlled to produce a stunning digital combination of static and animated effects to bring the 114.5m Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond designed structure to life.

The energy efficient LEDs will be positioned in areas including the external spiral staircase, the looping lattices, the canopy and viewing platforms areas. There will be a 15 minute moving light show every evening, with special effects also created for major events in and around the Park.

Situated between the Stadium and the Aquatics Centre, the ArcelorMittal Orbit will become an iconic new visitor attraction with viewing platforms that offer a 20 miles vista across to Central London.

When it is reopened in 2014, the ArcelorMittal Orbit will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 visitors a day with a potential to attract around 1 million people during the first year of operation.

They will be able to take a trip up the structure in a lift and down too if they wish, although people can walk down the 455 steps of the spiral staircase to admire the continuous looping lattice constructed of steel.

The ArcelorMittal Orbit will become both a permanent and sustainable sculpture with close to 60% of the 2,000 tonnes of steel used in the sculpture being made out of recycled steel.

Local employment is a key focus for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with 85% of the 50 jobs created by the ArcelorMittal Orbit going to people in the Host Boroughs. 

www.ArcelorMittalOrbit.com

The website has been designed for general public access, as well as schools, the art and design community, construction and architecture community as well as tourist and visitors to the London 2012 Games.