The 2008 Beijing Olympics was a center for innovation and sustainability. In preparation for the games, China invested greatly in 12 new facilities that emphasized eco-friendly ambitions. The National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center stood out as the focal venues:
National Stadium
According to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games’ official website, the National Stadium is also known as the “Bird’s Nest” and gets the alternative name from its uniquely designed outer shell. The curved, double-layered covering protects against wind, rain, sound and UVA rays, and it also provides for a decorative exterior.
Not only does the distinctive shell defend the venue from Mother Nature, it also provides a service for those inside as well. It can create a favorable lighting environment by diminishing glare and shadowing, the Web site says.
“The Bird’s Nest was a lot different than any other stadium I’ve competed in,” interdisciplinary studies senior Joel Phillip says. “Even at night the stadium was lit up so bright that you couldn’t tell the difference between night and day.”
The Bird’s Nest satisfies green energy consumption requirements with its natural lighting abilities coupled with a natural heating and air conditioning system.
A grassy football field makes up most of the stadium’s floor, but with an alternative function, the sports ground proves to be more than just a playing field. Technologically advanced pipelines run under the turf and can absorb heat from the soil in the winter and coolness in the summer, the site says.
To aid recycling measures even further, the venue also is equipped with its own technologically advanced drainage system that can collect rainwater and melt snow and ice. After water is collected, it goes through a treatment process rendering it suitable for recycled use such as irrigation purposes or restroom water, the site says.
Occupying an area of 258,000 square meters, the Bird’s Nest held up to 91,000 seats and served as the location for the opening and closing ceremonies, along with a few sporting events, the website says.
Construction of the building began in December 2003 and took approximately five years to complete ending in May 2008, just in time for the games.
National Aquatics Center
The NAC served as the location for swimming, diving and synchronized swimming, and its outer appearance resembles the sporting activities in which it showcased.
From the outside, the venue lights up like a bright blue beacon with an appearance suggestive of water and bubbles. The façade helped to culminate the building’s nickname, the “Water Cube.”
The Water Cube is the only Olympic venue to be funded solely by the donations of Chinese citizens, and their money didn’t go to waste.
Although the cube looks blue on the outside, it is recognized as an enormous green architectural wonder.
Designed with water-saving and environmental protection efforts, the venue’s outer surface and roof can annually collect 70,000 tons of clean water, 60,000 tons of swimming pool water and 10,000 tons of rain water. In addition, the structure can also save 140,000 tons of recycled water yearly, the site says.
Conscious environmental design efforts also aided the creation of ventilation system, surface water exploitation and an air-conditioning system, the site says.
The Water Cube is capable of maintaining warm temperatures with comfortable levels of humidity under Beijing’s colder outdoor conditions, and can prevent dew during the cities more humid times of year, the website says.
“Pools in the U.S. are generally either indoor or outdoor, so the environment and temperature may not be the best for competing,” communications major Mohammed Madwa says. “The Water Cube provided a perfect environment, and if I were to compete at any time around the clock, there would be no change in it.”
According to the website, while sustaining an eco-friendly design principle, the air-conditioning system was designed to help control potentially high humidity levels in the living area and the pool with the use of recycled hot water.
Outdoor and indoor air recycling systems, double-deck ventilation devices and solar energy also serve as other cooling methods and effectively stabilize humidity and maintain comfortable temperatures inside the venue, the site says.
The innovative architectural structure resides on 79,532 square meters of land and took over four years to complete, and will serve as a multi-functional facility for sports, recreation and culture after the completion of the 2008 Olympics.
Reach the reporter at smalekoo@asu.edu.
