On June 24th, visitors to London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park can take a 40-second plunge down the Arcelormittal Orbit via the world’s largest slide. The twisting, turning attraction takes thrill seekers through 584 feet (178 meters) of inner tube, wrapping around the structure 12 times and providing extraordinary views of London’s city skyline.
Designed by the artist Carsten Höller, the slide adds a new dimension to Anish Kapoor‘s towering tangle of vermillion steel, constructed as a focal point for the London Olympics back in 2012. Höller and Kapoor consider the Arcelormittal a giant, interactive sculpture. As such, the Arcelormittal Orbit not only hosts the world’s longest slide but, at 376 feet (114.5 meters), is the UK’s tallest artwork as well.
The weaving, careening ride may include unique views of the skyline, but don’t mistake it for a leisurely attraction like the London Eye. The Arcelormittal’s slide is fast, steep, and quite possibly terrifying. The ride features a tight corkscrew section named the “bettfeder” — named for the German word for “bedspring” — and constitutes a 15-story straight drop down to Earth. To be quite frank, this reporter isn’t sure he’d be brave enough to take the plunge.
Construction of the slide was overseen by the London-based firm bblur architecture. Check out the video below for a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of the Arcelormittal’s latest addition.
All images courtesy of bblur architecture. Video courtesy of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
