The "Dome", now called O2, is a huge space for exhibitions and concerts, covered with a non-woven membrane. It was erected in 2000 and became the object of criticism as an example of ill-considered use of public funds: after the end of the "thousand-year" celebrations, the building was empty for a long time.
Now it is quite actively used, and Rogers proposed to make it even more popular for the 2012 Olympics: the new bridge will cross a 365 m wide dome from north to south, and an observation deck will be arranged at its top, at a height of 50 m. Since the floor membrane is relatively fragile, the bridge structures will not touch it, but for a more accentuated feel, the "floor" of the bridge will also be made of nonwoven material to give the impression of walking on the dome itself.
The angle of rise of the bridge will be so steep that visitors will have to put on safety equipment and climb in groups of 30 under the guidance of an instructor. Overcoming the route will take them about 50 minutes. According to Rogers, this will be a kind of "challenge" requiring the participants to exert physical efforts, and people with disabilities will also be able to participate in this - of course, completely safe - adventure.
N. F.
