Up at the O2

The brief required the creation of a fully accessible walkway across the roof of The O2 - one of the UK’s most recognisable and sensitive fabric structures. The design had to deliver an engaging and exciting visitor experience while ensuring the integrity of the famous roof was not compromised. 

Constraints were significant. No hot works could be carried out on the fabric surface, and no crane had sufficient reach to access the centre of the structure. Alongside these technical challenges, the programme was fixed, with completion required ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games. You can view some pictures of work in progress below.

We were responsible for the detailed design, fabrication and construction of the cable-tensioned walkway and central viewing platform. Extensive surveying and prototyping ensured the solution could be delivered safely and precisely within the constraints of the existing structure.  

A bespoke PVC fabric was developed with a textured surface to improve grip on inclines of up to 30 degrees, supported by additional ribbing in the steepest sections.  

With no crane access, a unique installation process was carefully developed in collaboration with the team. More than 30 tonnes of materials and equipment were manually transported across the roof using custom-built sledges, moving along a protective runway to prevent damage to the underlying fabric.  

The walkway itself was formed from 75 pre-fabricated panels, each fitted with cables and clamps in the factory, allowing efficient installation on site with over 3km of cable, and thousands of fixings. 

Team

Alistair Wood, Senior Vice President of Real Estate & Development, AEG
Eamonn Wall, Project Director, ISG
Jon Clayden, Senior Construction Manager, ISG
Tim Finlay, Senior Structural Engineer, Buro Happold
Mark Smith, Director/Head of Projects, Base Structures

After pulling out all the stops, the walkway panels were all finally in place and the entire structure could be carefully tensioned, which was a delicate procedure that had to be coordinated perfectly to prevent uneven loads being applied to the masts. As the walkway revealed itself in its final completed form, and with all hands on deck to complete the finishing touches in time for the grand opening, it became clear that the race had been won.

The completed final structure delivered a unique, large-scale visitor attraction, allowing participants to climb more than 50 metres above ground level across the roof of The O2.  

The climbing experience begins on the south side of The O2 where a staircase and glass lift connect to a platform 7.5m high. From here the fabric walkway suspends above the existing fabric structure to its apex with a lanyard cable and hand rail running the full length of the walkway. Climbers will be provided with ‘climb suits’ and harnesses enabling them to be attached directly to the cable as they climb to the top. At the O2’s apex, a 12-metre diameter viewing platform provides panoramic views across London, transforming the structure into both an architectural feature and an immersive experience.

On 23rd May 2012 Up at the O2 was officially announced to the world, with the first paying climbers making the journey over The O2 on 21st June. With the works completed on time the venue could now be safely handed over for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Delivered to an immovable deadline, the project demonstrates our ability to solve complex challenges under pressure, combining precision engineering with innovative installation techniques to realise a world-first structure on an iconic stage.