Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Water Cube Unveiled, China

Looks awesome.
clipped from news.xinhuanet.com
Photo taken on Jan. 28, 2008 shows the exterior view of the National Aquatics Center also known as
Photo taken on Jan. 28, 2008 shows the exterior view of the National Aquatics Center also known as "Water Cube" in Beijing. The National Aquatic Center was delivered for use on Monday
after four years of construction. (Xinhua Photo/Luo Xiaoguang)
clipped from www.tropolism.com
watercube_027_m.jpg

Wacky in a way only state-sponsored architecture can be is the National Swimming Center in Beijing, going up right next to another of H&DM's stadiums (no, not this one). The center is enclosed by what appears to be a wall whose structure is an irregular spaceframe (made to resemble the cellular pattern of soap bubbles) and is clad in what appears to be a frosted or patterened glass. All of this from a wonderful photo gallery at Structurae. The building was conceived by Australian-based PTW Architects. Structural design by Arup, of course.

The Arup/PTW designed Water Cube plays on the geometry of water bubbles in a rectangular form.
clipped from images.google.com
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