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National Aquatic Center a.k.a. Water Cube

2008.08.21

Opposite the Bird's Nest is the National Aquatics Center a.k.a. Water Cube. It doesn't really resemble like a cube but more of .... I dunno. :))

The record-breaking performance of Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals for the U.S. Swimming Team, made this architectural structure popular to web searches and the Olympic spectators.

This is where the Swimming, Diving, Synchronized Swimming events are being done. It has a seating capacity of 17,000 spectators.

Water Cube: green architectural wonder

The venue's membrane structure, covered by ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) air cushions, is not only the first of its kind in China and the world's largest and most complex ETFE project, but it is also an economical and water-saving creation.

The blue-colored "hubble-bubble" material is much lighter than conventional glazing structures with the same lighting effect. So the cost of its supporting steel structure was reduced considerably, said Zheng Fang, the top designer of the Chinese-side design company.

ETFE material made by a German company would have cost 400-500 Euros per square meter, but the same material manufactured through a joint venture was only 2,000 yuan per square meter. The conventional glass covering will cost about 500 to 600 Euro.

In addition, the "Water Cube" was designed with water-saving and environmental protection efforts. According to statistics, the outer surface and roof facade can "collect" 10,000 tons of rain water, 70,000 tons of clean water and 60,000 tons of swimming pool water annually. And the venue can also save 140,000 tons of recycled water a year.

Pose like a beauty queen should be! LOL!!!

Yes, if you are lucky, you can see school of fish.

38 Comments

Being an Aussie, I have to mention here that "The Cube" was designed by Australian architecture firm PTW Architects... the shapes were decided on after cutting cross sections through soap bubbles... no joking there. Look it up if you are interested.

Apart from all that design brilliance - it's probably the fastest pool ever as well - it's deeper than most olympic pools so the water the swimmers go through is less disturbed under the surface- and it has very few waves on the surface you may have noticed - due to the design of the gutters... it just looks fantastic! I'd love to see it. Photographing it at night is just brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

Daryl · 2008-08-21: 06:24

Great information and beautiful pictures.
I've almost missed your rainbow wig:))

leocheung · 2008-08-21: 07:21

wow Stunning light and colours

slowpete · 2008-08-21: 07:30

Magnificent work and reporting! I did not know any of that info. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your Olympic coverage. I love 4 and 16. :)

mariaps · 2008-08-21: 07:53

fantastic shots and colours.

jacekb · 2008-08-21: 07:54

The close up on #6 is good, you can see reflection of the surrondings
Great post! You educated us through your words and through your photos. Good job. Thanks for shareing with us.

bundlesofjoy · 2008-08-21: 07:58