Designed by engineer André Waterkeyn for the International Exhibition of Brussels in 1958, the Atomium represents an iron crystal molecule. Made entirely of steel and from its height of 102 metres, the structure stands on three huge bipods and dominates the Heysel plateau. It’s nine large spheres, with their diametre of 18 meters each, are arranged in a central cubic configuration and joined by tubes. The Atomium reopened on February, 2006, after more than a year of renovation, hosting so far exhibitions, film screenings and a restaurant. Featuring Ingo Maurer light system and the intervenction of many famous designers, like George Nelson and the Vitra designers, the Atomium has, since its establishment at the very beginning of the “Golden Sixties”, become a symbol and a landmark in the Brussels skyline.
