Key takeaways
178
metres long
12
twists and turns during the 40 second descent
30
stainless steel sections make up the slide
- Designed for the London 2012 games by Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond has been transformed into an observation tower with a slide.
- Named the world’s tallest and longest tunnel slide it has become a landmark attraction, boosting tourism, and the local economy within the area.
- Seamlessly blends art and adventure, praised by both art critics and thrill seekers – creating a visually stunning and cohesive experience.
The ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture was designed by the internationally acclaimed Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has recently reopened as an observation tower.
The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) appointed us to project manage the addition of a slide designed by Belgian artist Carsten Höller. Our work began at the very start - considering the feasibility of wrapping a slide around the existing structure - and continued through the design, procurement and construction phases.
It was vital to understand what impact adding a slide would have on the original structure. We had to define a route that worked in harmony with the sculpture's existing design, both visually and structurally.
We then had to develop bespoke procedures to install the 178m-long slide. Its 30 stainless steel sections, each between five and nine metres in length, were lifted into place by a team of specialist abseilers using a complex system of ropes and pulleys.
