LONDON 2012: Showpiece Olympic tower sent back to the drawing board

By Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat

LONDON 2012's showpiece tower - which organisers hope will be the iconic centrepiece of their multi-billion pound Olympic Park - has been ordered back to the drawing board.

ORBIT WOE: Shortcomings 'will severely compromise its artistic integrity' unless resolved, claim British government's architectural advisory body 

Plans for the 377-foot spiraling and twisted tower, unveiled by London mayor Boris Johnson in March, need further work, according to the British government's architectural advisory body.

The £19.1structure, which has been designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor and funded by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, will be situated between the London 2012 Olympic Stadium and Aquatic Centre.

The sculpture is set to be the tallest in the UK - and beats New York's Statue of Liberty by just 22 metres.  It is planned that two high speed lifts will shuttle 700 visitors an hour to the viewing platform at the summit during the Games.

However, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment admit their reservations in a report published today.

They claim work is required on the entrance pavilion, viewing platforms, elevator and stairs, adding current shortcomings 'will severely compromise its artistic integrity.'

"There is a danger that such mundane requirements will downgrade the quality of the Orbit as an art work," the report stated.

"Without these details being submitted as part of the planning submission, we, and the planning authority, are being asked to take on trust that they will be elegantly resolved."

Despite their criticisms, the commission praised Kapoor's design for its sustainability - good news for the Olympic Delivery Authority, who recently admitted they would fail to meet their targets on use of renewable energy in Olympic Park. 

The Orbit will be constructed from 60 per cent recycled steel, with 25 per cent of concrete from recycled sources, and 75 per cent of bulk materials other than steel transported to site by rail.