Investment paying off handsomely
Venue features impressive infrastructure as far as the eye can see
BEIJING - From the blue-bubbled walls of the National Aquatics Center to the red backlighting on the bent steel of the National Stadium, the main venues at the Beijing Olympics project a Disney-esque quality. Between the "Water Cube" and the "Bird's Nest" is a walkway that treats patrons to jazz playing softly and lights flashing in preset patterns. Once the throngs of visitors and mascots are in place for tonight's opening ceremonies, the theme-park parallel will be complete.
With the help of the world's top architects and a $40 billion investment in buildings and infrastructure, the Chinese have created iconic venues to host the Games. The sports facilities are the centerpieces of Beijing's seven-year modern makeover, representing bold architectural designs and state-of-the-art technology. They have earned enthusiastic reviews from International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee officials, as well as athletes.
"The stadiums are as good as anything I've ever seen," said USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth. "The athletes all tell me that."
Of the 37 Olympic venues, 31 are located in Beijing, including 12 new venues, 11 renovated facilities, and eight temporary structures. Most of the venues are clustered around the Olympic Green, located due north of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City on Beijing's ancient central axis to promote positive energy flow. Many of the new venues were designed with Chinese tradition and symbolism in mind, making them functional and sculptural. The National Indoor Stadium, site of gymnastics, trampoline, tumbling, and team handball, has a fan-shaped roof in another nod to Chinese culture.
Billed as the world's largest enclosed space, the 91,000-seat National Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies, men's soccer final, and track and field events. While criss-crossing, curved steel beams inspired the nickname "Bird's Nest," they represent the cracked glaze on ancient Chinese porcelain. The $450 million structure is destined to become the world's most recognized sports complex. Its construction has already been the subject of documentaries.
The "Bird's Nest" is a striking departure from traditional stadium architecture, though it contains all the modern amenities sports fans expect. Great attention was paid to providing the best spectator experience possible. No obstructed views here. Seats are laid out in staggered rows to enhance sight lines.
In five minutes, visitors can walk west from the "Bird's Nest" and reach the 17,000-seat "Water Cube," which will host the swimming, diving, water polo, and synchronized swimming competitions. With its exterior covered in thin, plastic, hexagonal pillows, the National Aquatics Center was built to resemble bubbling water, although it more accurately resembles glowing bubble wrap.
Designers made the National Aquatics Center a prime example of "green" architecture, which Olympic organizers are quick to point out. The exterior lets in more solar heat than glass and serves as insulation. There are also a rainwater collection and water recycling systems in place.
The Chinese have held test events in many of the new venues. But with the Games opening in mere hours, the biggest test awaits. Appearance isn't everything. For all the iconic design and innovation in the facilities, how they function is what matters most. With air quality and weather less than ideal, there is anxiety over how the venues will be received.
