Digital cloud set to hover above 2012 Olympics (images)
A structure with two towers connected by "bubbles" is planned to broadcast real-time data and images high above London.
Olympics showpiece
A team of architects and engineers partnering with Google unveiled on Monday a planned showpiece structure for the London 2012 Olympics called the Cloud. The structure design is a collection of inflatable spheres supported by slender white towers.
Gossamer structure
The gossamer structure is meant to be a physical
manifestation of the digital cloud. And it would, in fact, be a digital
cloud that collects and broadcasts real-time data related to ongoing
Olympic events, worldwide news and weather info, and practical city
info for visitors. Money to build the Cloud will be raised via sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Inflatable 'bubbles'
The Cloud's "bubbles" are inflatable, transparent,
three-dimensional screens laced with LEDs.
For visitors
Visitors can ascend to bubble level by walking or biking
up a spiral walkway. They would also have access to elevators
with regenerative braking.
Self-powered with solar
The Cloud would be self-powered with photovoltaic panels.
A closer look
From within the main tower, visitors would have a closer look
at the bubbles broadcasting ongoing events in real time. They could also look
down on the city and the Olympic events taking place in buildings
below.
Sound below
While the images on the bubble screens would float high above
the spectators, the sound would be broadcast at ground level.
The team
The Cloud's extensive team includes Tomas Saraceno, artist;
Alex Haw, digital designer; Joerg Schleich, lightweight-structures
expert; Arup; Agence Ter; Studio FM; Google; GMJ Design; and a group
from MIT's Senseable City Laboratory. The MIT Senseable City Laboratory
team led by Carlo Ratti, includes Assaf Biderman, Mauro Martino, E Roon
Kang, Walter Nicolino and Giovanni de Niederhausern. The author Umberto
Eco is an adviser.
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