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B of the Bang

B of the Bang was a sculpture designed by Thomas Heatherwick and located near the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester, United Kingdom. Its form recalled an exploding firework, and it was commissioned for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Once one of the tallest structures in Manchester, it was also the tallest sculpture in the United Kingdom until Aspire was completed in 2008. The sculpture took its name from a phrase used by sprinter Linford Christie. Built after a commission in 2003, it was not inaugurated until later than planned. Structural problems led to legal action, and in 2009 Manchester City Council decided that dismantling and storage was the only practical solution. The sculpture was later taken apart, despite hopes of possible reconstruction.

B of the Bang sculpture with long reddish-brown spikes radiating from a central point.
B of the Bang, a spiked steel sculpture in Manchester, shown against an urban skyline.
November 2005 © S. Parish · CC BY-SA 2.0
B of the Bang, a rusty-red starburst sculpture with long spikes radiating outward in a paved plaza.
B of the Bang rises in a starburst of metal spikes beside an open paved area.
June 2006 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
B of the Bang sculpture silhouetted against a grey sky beside a tall floodlight pole.
The B of the Bang sculpture rises against an overcast sky, with a floodlight pole beside it.
February 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
B of the Bang sculpture with spiky arms rising in front of a stadium in the distance.
B of the Bang stands in the mid-ground, with a stadium visible behind it.
January 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Information board for B of the Bang beside fenced gravel ground and a stadium building.
An information board for B of the Bang stands beside fenced-off ground, with a stadium-like building in the background.
February 2009 © · CC BY-SA 2.0

Identification

TitleB of the Bang
TypeSculpture

Creator

DesignerThomas Heatherwick

Location and ownership

LocationNear the City of Manchester Stadium, Sportcity, Beswick, Manchester, England, at the corner of Alan Turing Way and Ashton New Road

Historical context

Original expected completion dateJuly 2003
Nickname originNamed by locals after the 1970s children's game
NicknameKerPlunk
Name originNamed after Linford Christie's phrase about starting races at the 'B of the bang' rather than the bang of the starting pistol
Design conceptDesigned to resemble an exploding firework
Project approval dateEarly 2003
Construction teamThomas Heatherwick Studio, Packman Lucas, Flint and Neill, and Westbury Structures
Construction locationSheffield
Selection processSelected in a 2002 competition by a jury of local residents and art experts
Commission year2003
Commissioned forthe 2002 Commonwealth Games
Commissioned byNew East Manchester Limited

Physical characteristics

Spike height above ground3 metres
Foundation size20 metres by 20 metres (400 square metres)
FoundationReinforced concrete slab
Weight165 tonnes
Foundation depth20 metres
Support structure detailThe legs connected to the spikes above the ground
Support structureFive hollow steel feet/legs
StructureA central core with 180 hollow, tapered steel spikes radiating outward
InclinationTilted at 30 degrees from the vertical
HeightApproximately 56 metres (184 feet)

Materials

MaterialCorten steel (weathering steel)
Material propertyDevelops a tightly adhering oxide layer when exposed to the elements, reducing water permeability and further corrosion
Foundation materialReinforced concrete

Technique

Wind designThe spikes were designed to sway slightly in wind to withstand gusts of over 100 mph (160 km/h)

Other

Original design and construction locationManchester
CoordinatesProvided in the source text, but not shown in the fragment
Time capsuleA time capsule containing poems and drawings by children was placed inside one of the spikes during construction and was intended to be opened around 2300; its location has been unknown since dismantling

Significance

Height comparisonTaller and leaned at a greater angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Height comparisonMore than twice the height of the Angel of the North
Height statusOne of the tallest structures in Manchester and the tallest sculpture in the United Kingdom until Aspire was completed in 2008

Discovery and provenance

Initial cost estimateAbout half the final cost, because installation costs were omitted from the estimate
Funding£700,000 from the European Regional Development Fund; £500,000 from the North West Regional Development Agency; £120,000 from Manchester City Council; additional funding from other organizations
Construction cost£1.42 million

History and restoration

Unveiling date12 January 2005
Unveiled byLinford Christie
Pre-unveiling damageSix days before unveiling, the tip of one spike detached and fell to the ground
Structural problemsThe sculpture developed structural integrity problems, with three visible problem areas
SettlementOut-of-court settlement of £1.7 million
Dismantling announcementIn February 2009, Manchester City Council announced that the sculpture would be dismantled and placed in storage
DismantledYes, in 2009
Removal consequencesDuring removal, the core and legs were cut apart despite promises of storage and possible reassembly
Current storage statusThe 180 spikes remain in storage
Core disposalThe core was sold for scrap in July 2012
Legal actionManchester City Council began legal action one year later