In its most famous composition, floating over the horizon of London, architect Julia Barfield is still confused that London Eye Ferris has become a symbol of the city of wheel.
The initial priority was searching for a breathtaking way to see the British capital, she described AFP inside one of her 32 glass pods as it was swept away against the backdrop of the houses of Parliament.
Built to mark the twist of millennium in 2000, it has established itself as one of the most paid attractions in the country. Every year around 3.5 million tourists take their panoramic view on half an hour of trips.
Souvenirs were approved, sketched by road artists and an endless stream of selfie became almost a milestone in the form of an eye Big Ben.
But this future was not always so confident.
Barfield said she and her late husband David Marx, spending several years to receive money for co-interaction, ambitious project, while many nail-biting construction hiccups threatened to derail their vision.
‘How did they do this?’
At the turn of the Millennium, when the people of London were talking about the Y2K computer bug scare and the “baby one peacock time” of Brittany Spears, it was the best -selling single of the year, The Eye was the world’s largest ferris wheel.
It was originally for a temporary, five -year installation, and already in a competition was rejected in search of designs for a millennium landmark.
But two architects stopped support and decided to make it anyway, participating in the earlier years of Millennium to complete the project.
Barfield told AFP, “I would never have guessed that it could still be in 25 years, yet taking people to celebrate London – which is originally about the project.”
Similar observation wheels are now a stability in cities around the world, but even today the eye cantillar design stands out, provoking the audience in the South Bank where the 120 -meter wide bends at a stunning angle on the 120 -meter wide wheel temperature.
The architects always expected to build a sense of excitement in the structure. Barfield said that she wanted to say to visitors: “Wow, how did he do this?”
But abnormal design required many innovations, including special curved glass for pods brought from Venice.
At one point, the parts floated over the River Temes and the builders worked on water to collect the huge wheel.
The first techniques were used to install northern sea oil rigs, it was gradually hoisted – but the cables became loose and the project was delayed.
Other technical problems meant that the public had to wait a few months to try it. But in March 2000, the eye joined a wave of new buildings in the British capital to welcome the morning of a new era – including Millennium Dome, Millennium Bridge, and Tate Modern Gallery.
“I don’t know that this must have happened at any other time,” Barfield said.
‘All cities, but slowly’
Today, at 42 pounds ($ 53) for a standard on-day ticket, some argue that the eye is prohibited.
But fresh visitors told AFP that the ride was well worth it.
“It was impressive,” 13 -year -old Peru tourist Leonardo Manuel said, he first visited Europe with his family.
“Come to London was one of my dreams. We could all see the city, but slowly – we could take a moment to see it.”
(This story is not edited by NDTV employees and auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
