The Atom was designed by Peter Meacock Projects with Katarina Novomestska.

Set in the landscape above Pendle the bronze-coated glass reinforced concrete structure provides both a striking contemporary viewing point and shelter from which to enjoy the stunning surrounding landscape, and an intriguing and beautiful object.

The idea of the Panopticons in high places is to raise awareness both of the grand lateral sweeps of the ELP and the extreme proximity of this natural resource to the town centres; a place to reflect on the beauty in the urban and rural vistas. As a result four large-scale sculptures were commissioned, designed and constructed over a six year period for the districts of Blackburn, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

The site for this Panopticon on a ledge overlooking the village of Wycoller and a broad sweep for Pendle landscape needed to act as a new focus of intensity without appearing to seek attention. The valley is steeply sided but strangely intimate.