Atomium

=Atomium=

Brussels
 The Atomium is a building (of sorts) in Brussels, Belgium engineered by André Waterkeyn and built by André and Jean Polak for the 1958 World's Fair. The structure is designed to look like a unit cell of an iron crystal under a magnification of 165 billion times, and is considered a symbol of the Belgian advancement of science and technology. It was initially constructed under the philosophy of embracing modernity and leaving the past (namely the recently finished World War II) behind. Standing at 102 meters, it is a seminal feature of the skyline of Brussels, and is one of the most easily recognizable landmarks in the city.

Initially, the Atomium served as the centerpiece and main pavilion of the Brussels World's Fair, more commonly known as Expo 58. The building was originally intended to be torn down after the exhibition, but the public enjoyed the design so much that it still stands a half century later. In 2004, the Atomium went into an extensive renovation process in order to replace the original aluminum surface (which had faded in the years since Expo 58) with new, easily maintainable stainless steel, as well as to add more air conditioning and access routes for the disabled. As a result, the building was closed to the public from October 2004 to February 2006, and the original aluminum was auctioned to the public to raise funds. Today, the Atomium consists of nine metal spheres (five of which are open to the public), all connected by three meter tunnels equipped with escalators and stairs in order to maintain the accessibility of the spaces.

In the modern day, the Atomium is home to many public spaces and museums (with a restaurant sporting a view of the city in the top sphere), and has established itself as a cornerstone of not only the identity of the city of Brussels, but also of the Belgian identity as a whole. The Atomium was built as a monument to the bold spirit of science and to contribute to its advancement, but it also symbolizes the democratic will of all of the European nations to maintain peace amongst themselves, their faith in the progress and development of the European continent, and an optimistic view of the utilization of the sciences to create a better future. The shining surface of the building is meant to be a mirror looking into both the beautiful past and the promising future of humanity and the human endeavor. Overall, the Atomium begs the all-important question, "What do we want our future to look like?", and in doing so has cemented itself into the Belgian identity as one of the most definitively Belgian landmarks the country has to offer.