Atomium

The Atomium (GA: /əˈtoʊmiːəm/ ə-TOH-mee-əm) is a building in Brussels originally constructed for Expo 58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. Designed by the engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak, it stands 102 m (335 ft) tall. Its nine 18 m (59 ft) diameter stainless steel clad spheres are connected so that the whole forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. It is a museum.

Tubes of 3 m (9.8 ft) diameter connect the spheres along the 12 edges of the cube and all eight vertices to the centre. They enclose stairs, escalators and a lift (in the central, vertical tube) to allow access to the five habitable spheres which contain exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere includes a restaurant which has a panoramic view of Brussels. CNN named it Europe's most bizarre building.

Renovation

Renovation of the Atomium began in March 2004; it was closed to the public in October, and remained closed until 18 February 2006. The renovations included replacing the faded aluminium sheets on the sphere with stainless steel. To help pay for renovations, the old aluminium was sold to the public as souvenirs. A triangular piece about 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) long sold for €1,000.

Off the Record (Karl Bartos album)

Off the Record, released on 15 March 2013, is the second solo album by Karl Bartos (formerly of Kraftwerk). It is Bartos' first solo album in ten years, though the material on Off the Record predates that on 2003's Communication.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Karl Bartos, except where indicated. 

Singles

"Atomium" was released as a single on February 1, 2013.

References