LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC VENUES PART 2 - Aquatics Center

gulfnews.com | Sunday, July 22, 2012| Gulf News Gulf News Sunday, July 22, 2012| gulfnews.com 7 OLYMPIC VENUES PART 2 AQUATICS CENTRE అరి Welcome to the Olympic Park The wavelike roof The Stratford City Bridge connects the area of Stratford with the Olympic Park, making it the main pedestrian access. The bridge also forms the roof of the training pool area. The roof shape is the signature of the Aquatic Centre. It was inspired by water in motion and consists of an undulating form that crosses all the venue, enclosing the Olympic pools. The upper roof layer consists of robust aluminium, half of which is recycled. Swim complex a fitting first sight The parabolic shape is also functional, because it allows the spectators at the back of the detachable grandstands a clear view. The steel bones are a combination of shaped trusses to get a double curve, allowing a column-free clear view of the pools. It weighs 3,000 tonnes. To Olympic Park Aquatics Centre cost three times its budget to build, but is set to become the iconic structure of the Games with events taking place almost every day North access The hardwood ceiling is made up of 37,000 individual strips. 90m The complete structure of 11,000m2 is supported only in three points; a concrete wall at the south end and two concrete DUBAI By HUGO A. SANCHEZ 3D modeller & infographic artist and ALARIC GOMES Senior Reporter The Water Polo Arena sloping silver roof is made from air-inflated recyclable plastic, covers 6,710m2 and provides temperature insulation. Inside, the competition and warming pools hold 2,778,000 litres of water. North support points South support wall cores at the north side. To Stratford City Top view 160m he London Aquatics Centre is an indoor facility that is situated in the Olympic Park t Stratford in east 30m 160m London. This will be one of the main 27m venues of both the Olympics and the Paralympics. The centre will be used for the swimming, diving and syn- chronised swimming at the Olympics and the swimming at the Paralympics. With its distinctive architec- ture and curved roof, the centre will be the first venue visitors see upon entering the park. Designed by renowned Iraqi- British architect Zaha Hadid, the centre is tipped to be one of the busiest venues with daily competitions being held from July 28 until August 11. With project architect Jim Heverin design of this unique venue demonstrates precast-concrete skills by exposing the concrete finish rather than painting or cladding. 45m Front view Side view 87m leading the way, the Training pool 50m, depth 2 m 2,550 permanent seats Three times the estimate The precast floor terrac- ing was manufactured by Bell and Webster Concrete in Lin- colnshire, England. The terracing units were de- livered and positioned to accel- erate the speed of construction. The construction contract was awarded to Balfour Beatty in April 2008. It has been reported the cen tre cost about three times as Spectator medical Competition pool 50m, depth 3m Access lift Waterworks River Washrooms Diving pool 25m, depth 5m O Training pool much as was originally esti- mated, a total of £242 million (Dhl.33 billion). The facility will be converted for public use after the Games. It was completed in July 2011. Below the grandstands are located the medical, anti-doping lounge and changing areas. Also the electrical substation, climate control and ventilation plant. 850,000 ceramic tiles were installed in the pools, poolside and changing rooms. 150,000 tonnes of concrete was poured in all the construction, using a mix of 40% cement replacement and up to 76% recycled aggregate. Water Polo Arena South access All 3 pools hold a total of 10 million 10m litres of water Legacy mode The Aquatics Centre will be transformed into a facility for the local community, as well as pro swimmers. The two temporary wings will be removed, completing the organic concept of the construction. This will reduce the capacity to 2,500 permanent seats, with the chance to add 1,000 for major events. Other facilities will include a creche, a cafe and a new public plaza in front of the building. Dive Platforms 15,000 demountable seats 7.5m 462 tonnes of reinforced concrete were required to construct the six organic shaped diving boards. Due to the complex shape of each one, the boards were asembled with 5m 300 unique pieces at the construction site. Зт The Aquatics Centre and Water Polo Arena are adjacent to each other in one of the most compact areas of the Olympic Park. To make the best use of the space avail- able, some back-of- house facilities, such as space for broadcasters, catering and security will be shared between the two venues. The first dedicated water polo venue to be built for an 3m Olympic Games, the structure will be taken down after the Olympics conclude on August 12 and elements of the The wings Two demountable grandstands were constructed to receive the majority of spectators, increasing the capacity from 2,500 seats to 17,500. This economic option consists of a steel structure, plywood decking and polymer based materials for the cover. venue are expected to be re-used or relocated elsewhere. Sources: http://planning.london2012.com, www.london2012.com, www.londonlegacy.co.uk, www.zaha-hadid.com Photo: www.london2012.com