World's first revolving observation pod announced for Bath, UK
by Tom Anstey | 11 Sep 2015
Plans for the world's first revolving glass observation pod in the centre of Bath, UK, have been unveiled, with design by SRA Architects.
The £5m (US$7.7m, €6.9m) plans would see the rotating 65m-tall (213ft) ‘AquEye’ built on the city’s Pulteney Weir Island next to the historic Pulteney Bridge, according AquaEye founder Nicholas Stubbs.
The structure, made up of two long masts and an observation pod would swing out over the River Avon, rising above the historic city as it turns to offer a view of the surrounding landscape. The pod is capable of handling 25 passengers per ‘flight,’ with three ascensions an hour offering unrivalled views of the Georgian and Roman city. The high-tech, low profile design has been created specifically for a historic city such as Bath, so as not to have a significant visual impact on the surroundings.
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There has been some opposition to the plan, with preservation advocates saying that the pod is poorly located, blocking views of the 18th century weir and bridge in the city, which is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
A crowdfunding campaign for the development will launch in November to support the full planning and development of the installation, which should gain some traction with names such as Olympic gold medal winning skeleton champion Amy Williams supporting the project.
If planning permission is granted and fundraising is successful, the AquEye will open in 2017.
The pod is capable of handling 25 passengers per ‘flight’ with three ascensions an hour Credit: AquEye
The structure, made up of two long masts, holds an observation pod at the end of it which would swing out over the River Avon Credit: AquEye
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Plans for the world's first revolving glass observation pod in the centre of Bath, UK, have been unveiled, with design by SRA Architects. The £5m (US$7.7m, €6.9m) plans would see the rotating 65m-tall (213ft) ‘AquEye’ built on the city’s Pulteney Weir Island next to the historic Pulteney Bridge, according AquaEye founder Nicholas Stubbs. The structure, made up of two long masts and an observation pod would swing out over the
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