ArcelorMittal Orbit Slide BBLUR architecture was commissioned alongside Buro Happold by LLDC to design the worlds tallest dry slide through and around Sir Anish Kapoor 115-metre observation tower in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The steel sculpture is Britain's tallest sculpture, an enduring reminder of the 2012 Olympic Games but it was failing as a visitor attraction. BBLUR and Buro Happold were responsible for the feasibility, concept, planning, detailing and coordination of the project. After visitors have taken the lift to the top or, for the more athletic, the 435 steps to the viewing platform, a panoramic view is revealed across the skyline of East London and beyond.
Visitors riding the slide descend the 76-metre height in just 40 seconds at speeds of up to 15mph through the 176m long spiralling 800mm diameter stainless steel tube. This is the longest and fastest enclosed dry slide in the world.
The Slide opened in 2016 and has proved to be an enormous success for our client and has become one of London's most popular attractions.
BBLUR explored several sculptural forms and colours before settling on a simple form developed and detailed in conjunction with German artist Carsten Holler.
Architecture:
Client:
Lead Consultant:
Planning Consultant
Artist
BBLUR architecture
LLDC
Buro Happold
Kevin Scott Consultancy
Carsten Holler