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.
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