In the latest edition of the ‘Corrosion of Iconic Structures’ series, Gustavo Romero shares information on Cloud Gate (also known as ‘The Bean’), a concave stainless-steel structure located in Chicago, US. 

Designed by the Indo-British designer Anish Kapoor, the attraction sits at the centre of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park, measuring in at 66-foot-long by 32-foot-high in stainless steel.  

Aptly named ‘The Bean’ for its bean-like resemblance, the structure was originally created in 1999 by the Millennium Park authorities who decided that the park needed a central work of art, and therefore created a design competition for the attraction. Anish Kapoor’s design was selected, and the attraction was constructed and revealed in the park by 2004, estimated at $11.5 million in value. 

In this article, we break down in detail the history of the iconic structure, its complex construction process, as well as current and future corrosion risks. 

View Article