There are few buildings that can capture the imagination of visitors of all ages and backgrounds. By using fantastical yet familiar elements to enable a sense of wonder on the part of viewers from across the world, the Atomium, sitting in the northwest area of central Brussels in Belgium, is one of those buildings.
The Atomium is a giant model of a unit cell of an iron crystal, with each sphere of the structure symbolizing an atom. Completed in 1958 as a unique combination of art and architecture, it has somehow been able to endure with one foot in the past and one in the future. The structure attracts over 600,000 visitors every year and in the process has become one of the national symbols of Belgium.
From the 1958 World Fair of Brussels to Today
The name “Atomium” is a combination of the words “atom” and “aluminum”, as aluminum sheets originally covered the spheres of the complex. It depicts nine iron atoms in the shape of an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times. It was built as the main pavilion and icon of the 1958 World Fair of Brussels (aka Expo 58) and was supposed to symbolize the Atomic Age’s optimistic vision of a modern, super-technological world that would enable a better life for mankind.
Of the nine spheres, six are accessible to the public, as the other three have been designated as technical spheres that would not be able to support the weight of visitors. Today, the sphere at the pinnacle contains a restaurant as well as an observation deck, while the rest of the spheres host a variety of exhibits and activities.
The look and feel of the building were all about projecting a vision of the future, and that sense of the future was prevalent throughout the exhibits at Expo 58. By all accounts, it helped anchor a successful event that ended up featuring numerous national pavilions and hosting over 40 million visitors.
The Atomium was not intended to survive beyond Expo 58, but like other famous structures, its popularity compelled an effort to see the structure remain intact. Over the years little was done for upkeep, to the point that it was literally falling apart by the turn of the century.
Thankfully, renovation of the entire structure began in 2004 and was completed a couple years later. Those renovations included replacing the aluminum sheets on the spheres with stainless steel, along with an overhaul of the attractions and exhibits throughout the structure.
Those attractions and exhibits provide visitors with a variety of experiences inside the Atomium, but they’re just part of the overall experience.
An Otherworldly Wonder
Described by some as halfway between art and architecture, the sight of the Atomium from afar is uncanny, and the sense of wonder about the structure only increases as you get closer to it. The sight of the Atomium in the skyline is captivating, and that feeling is taken to another level at the base of the piece. There are countless different angles and ways to simply look up at the Atomium, and all of them convey this sense of wonder.
There are a variety of features that visitors can directly engage with on the grounds, and those range from the Rockgrowth sculpture to the café to the “Welcome” sign at the base of the Atomium that visitors can pose with, similar to the way they can interact with the “I amsterdam” pieces in Amsterdam. All of these features provide visitors with something to do in preparation of going up and into the structure.
One of the most unique things about the Atomium is that it enables so many unique experiences for visitors throughout the different spheres. The sphere at the pinnacle of the complex houses an observation deck along with a restaurant, which provides an incredible 360-degree view of Brussels from over 300 feet in the air.
The trip from one sphere to the next is yet another instance of the retro-future vibe that inspired the creation of the Atomium itself, as visitors make their way through via a series of escalators inside tubes that are among the longest in Europe.
Other spheres that are accessible to visitors include ones that house a permanent exhibit dedicated to the history of the Atomium as well as temporary exhibit space, which has featured a variety of artists and displays. The permanent exhibition literally takes visitors through the history of the complex, and visitors are able to gather some incredibly valuable context around the time and era in which the Atomium was constructed.
Event and Kids Spheres are not readily accessible to the public, but each can be utilized for certain occasions. The variety of experiences that visitors can have throughout the complex have helped fuel the tremendous economic benefit the Atomium has enabled for stakeholders and the city of Brussels, some of which is related to access to these spheres.
Restaurants, Rentals and Representations
The renovation of the Atomium was an expensive endeavor, but doing so opened up a number of revenue opportunities at the location, the least of which are the fees charged to enter the complex. Other revenue opportunities can be seen with the pictures that visitors are compelled to take as they get in line to head up to the observation deck and begin their trek through the complex.
The Panoramic restaurant is located in the Upper Sphere of Level 8 and is spread over two levels linked by an internal staircase. Bar service along with lunch and dinner service is available at a variety of times throughout the week. The Snack and terrace at the foot of the Atomium also provide a wider range of food and drink for all visitors.
There are options to secure the restaurant space for private parties, but it’s also possible to rent out a variety of spaces and spheres within the Atomium. These flexible spaces provide a unique setting for meetings, seminars, conferences, cocktail parties, gala evenings and plenty more. Visitors can have access to the Atomium’s exhibitions as well as the panoramic view over Brussels along with a variety of standard facility options.
For visitors who are just out to see and experience the Atomium though, there are plenty of options when it comes to purchasing a representation of the building in everything from coins to cards to collectibles. Visitors have no shortage of items and options to choose from, which are priced to fit the needs and budgets of countless people.
The Sound & Light Digital Show represents another essential revenue opportunity that can only take place at the Atomium. It’s another example of what it means to provide visitors with different experiences during the daytime and nighttime. The spectacle has provided direct and indirect revenue opportunities that visitors have responded to in especially positive ways.
This celebration of the space showcases how and why it has become such an important icon for the city of Brussels and even for the entire nation of Belgium.
The Evolution of the Enthusiasm of the Atomic Age Today
The permanent collection of the Atomium showcases the past and present of Belgian culture as a whole. As the icon of Expo 58, it was meant to depict the enthusiasm of the Atomic Age, and it’s illuminating to see how that enthusiasm has evolved and changed over time and continually influence the city as a whole.
The temporary gallery provides visitors with an entirely different perspective of Brussels and Belgium though. Many exhibits have celebrated Belgian artists that encourage visitors to interact with the work in ways they couldn’t anywhere else. As a few examples of the kind of Belgian culture they’ve showcased, Modernika used Expo 58 as a way to show the spreading of the American way of life in Belgium, while Intersections #3 brought together the creative spirits of Belgian talent, whose work is located at the crossroads between crafts, design and art.
The Atomium itself continues to be celebrated as a symbol of the region in a number of different ways. When it was reopened in 2006, a 2 euro commemorative coin was issued to mark the occasion and commemorate the renovation of the structure. What’s more is that the building is a mainstay in a variety of guides and tours of the city, enabling visitors to appreciate the past and future of Brussels in an especially unique way.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Atomium, the city of Brussels set up three exhibitions under the title Galaxy 58. Additionally, couples that were married in 1958 were invited to the Panoramic restaurant to celebrate, and there are other festivities going on throughout the year to mark the occasion. All of these happenings are just a hint at the cultural significance the Atomium has enabled.
That significance is part of the reason the Atomium has become a symbol of Brussels and recognized throughout Belgium. It’s something that’s been enabled by an embrace of the past and future to create something bigger than even the original architects could have envisioned.
Creating a Legacy with Art and Architecture
Brussels is a city that’s become recognized as everything from a center for chocolate to being a hub of Europe, but the Atomium has become one of the icons of the city because of its ability to inspire and captivate audiences. The universal interest in the structure can be seen with the miniature replicas that are displayed in a variety of places and locations around the world, but they don’t signify its true impact.
With any combination of art and architecture, there’s a danger of failing to achieve anything of significance with either, but the Atomium is an amazing example of how these elements can be balanced. It’s something the creators recognized in 1958 and the city saw with their decision to support the renovation. That recognition has enabled it to pull in an entirely new audience from across the world and move beyond the trappings of the Atomic Age to create a legacy that continues to evolve and endure.
