The Dome attracted intense media coverage and generated more political and public debate than any other British building of the last 100 years. For the architect, the project was a resounding success - the building itself was remarkably inexpensive (£43 million for groundworks, perimeter wall, masts, cable net structure and the roof fabric) and the architectural response was to devise a non-adversarial procurement route involving standardized components that could be delivered in time and under budget. Its content, however, was altogether less successful and was savaged by the press.

Designed in association with engineers Buro Happold, the key objectives were lightness, economy and speed of construction.

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