Watercube
National Aquatics Center
Beijing, China
National Aquatics Center
Beijing, China
The Watercube associates water as a structural and conceptual“leitmotiv” with the square, the primal shape of the house in Chinesetradition and mythology.
Architect Chris Bosse has sent us a series of photos of the NationalAquatics Centre in Beijing - better known as Watercube - whichofficially opened on Monday 28th January 2008.
The centre, which will host the swimming and diving competitions at theBeijing 2008 Olympic Games in August, hosted its first event, the GoodLuck Beijing 2008 Swimming China Open, on February 4th.
The structure of the WATERCUBE is basedon a unique lightweight construction, developed by China StateConstruction Design International (CCDI), PTW Architects, and ARUP, andderived from the structure of water bubbles in the state of aggregationfound in foam.
Behindthe totally random appearance hides a strict geometry that can be foundin natural systems like crystals, cells and molecular structures - themost efficient subdivision of three-dimensional space with equallysized cells.
The transparency and apparent randomness is equallytransposed into the inner and outer building-skins, made of inflatedETFE cushions.
The transparency and apparent randomness is equallytransposed into the inner and outer building-skins, made of inflatedETFE cushions.
Unlike traditional stadium structures with gigantic columns &beams, cables & spans, to which a facade system is applied, thearchitectural space, structure and facade of the Watercube are one andthe same element. 90% of the solar energy falling on the building istrapped within the highly efficient structural zone and is used to heatthe pools and the interior area.
Rainwater from the roof is reused, recycled and redistributed alongside efficient pool filtration and backwash systems.
The design uses state-of-the-arttechnology and materials to create a visually striking,energy-efficient, and ecologically friendly building. Conceptually thesquare box and the interior spaces are carved out of an unconfinedcluster of foam bubbles, symbolizing a condition of nature that istransformed into a condition of culture.Together with the main stadium by Herzog & de Meuron, a dualitybetween fire and water, Yin and Yang, is being created with all itsassociated tensions and attractions.
The Project was recentlyrecognized at the Venice Architecture Biennale for “demonstrating in astunning way, how the deliberate morphing of molecular science,architecture and phenomenology can create an airy and misty atmospherefor a personal experience of water leisure.”