The Atomium was designed for the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, at a time marked by optimism, belief in progress and an unshakeable faith in science and technology. The steel structure, shaped like an iron crystal with nine spheres each 18 metres in diameter, was originally conceived as a temporary building. It was constructed using materials and techniques intended to last no more than six months. In the early 2000s, Sylvie Bruyninckx, founder of VIVA Architecture, worked as partner project architect at Conix Architects on the update of the Atomium, both in terms of visitor experience and restoration—a process that celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026.

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