A new landmark tower structure - comprising a "cloud" of transparent spheres to display images and information - could be built in London to celebrate the hosting of the 2012 Olympics.

Initially earmarked for the Olympic Park, a number of other sites across the city are now being explored for The Cloud, which has been designed by a team of engineers, architects and artists. The Cloud would boast an observation deck offering views across London, but would also contribute towards the world's first "truly digital Olympics" through a series of LED information feeds. No public funds would be required.

Visitors to the Cloud, which the project leaders hope will become a symbol of global ownership, will have the opportunity to ascend the tower on foot or by bicycle. Lifts would form part of the structure, which would also provide a sustainable source of electricity. One of the project leaders Carlo Ratti, head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's SENSEable Cities Laboratory in the US, said: "Our main idea is to apply to architecture some of the distributed processes that are currently revolutionising the digital world.

"We can build our Cloud with £5m or £50m. The flexibility of the structural system will allow us to tune the size of the Cloud to the level of funding that is reached." The team behind the Cloud proposals also includes representatives from Arup, digital designer Alex Haw, lightweight structures specialist Joerg Schleich, landscape architect Agence Ter and internet firm Google.

Image: The CLOUD | www.raisethecloud.org