The National Aquatics Center, one of the main venues of the 2008
Games, is quickly taking shape alongside the "Bird's Nest" National
Stadium in northern Beijing.
The National Aquastics
Center, or the Water Cube, is seen in this photo taken on December
7, 2006. Organizers of 2008 Beijing Olympics said the Games' venues
would be completed before the end of 2007.
The design of the "Water Cube," which has a membrane-like
exterior made from transparent cushions, plays on the geometry of
water bubbles in a rectangular form.
At the moment, 85 percent of the cushions have been installed,
according to officials at the construction site.
Sun Hongzhuang, manager of the construction project, said that
the cushions are strong enough to endure any bad weather.
According to Sun, the cushions, which are expected to last for
up to 30 years, can withstand the full force of an adult jumping
repeatedly on them.
Co-designed by the China State Construction Engineering
Corporation (CSCEC), Arup Engineering Group and PTW Architects, the
center, a short distance from the National Stadium promises to be
an architectural highlight of the Beijing Olympics.
The blue bubbles that form the external structure of the Water
Cube are made from a state-of-the-art lightweight transparent
material known as ETFE cushions. ETFE allows high levels of natural
daylight into the building and harnesses solar energy to heat the
building and the pool.
"Most of the light in the center will come from natural
daylight, allowing the athletes and spectators enjoy soft natural
lighting," Sun said.
Another important feature of the new swimming center is that it
will be able to recycle 80 percent of the water used. This will
have environmental benefits and also make the complex much more
self-reliant in terms of its water supply.
It is envisaged that about 3,000 cushions will be installed at
the "Water Cube," covering a total area of 110,000 square
meters.
By the end of this year, construction of the walls and the
installation of the membrane structure of the outside roof will be
completed and the whole project will be finished by next
October.
With a total budget of just over 1 billion yuan (US$130
million), the "Water Cube" is the only venue for the Beijing Games
that is being constructed with donations from overseas Chinese.
Since this membrane structure is totally new in China, the
installation of the cushions has proven costly and the final cost
may exceed the original budget, Sun said.
During the Games, the "Water Cube," which has a seating capacity
of 17,000, will host swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized
swimming events. After the Games, it will be developed into a
multi-purpose leisure and swimming center including a gym and an
ice rink.
(China Daily December 15, 2006)
