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Analysis | Olympics | Water Polo Arena

LEFT: The lower end of the arena sets up a sympathetic relationship with the Aquatics Centre.

RIGHT: Taking shape – the installed PVC cushions, with the facade starting to go up in July.

– 60% of which are estimated to have been used before the games as well – are standard 50m spans that can be reused after the games. The foundations strategy was driven by issues of sustainability and minimising disturbance to the contaminated land, with screw pile foundations and sheet pile retaining walls that can be pulled out and used elsewhere. Morley makes the point that temporary buildings can not only go back into the supply chain but also allow a wider variety of uses on the end site. So instead of a decaying legacy of grand buildings, east London should hopefully have a new city district studded with arenas in 20 years’ time. The site of the Water Polo Arena itself is scheduled for housing as part of Stratford’s ‘metropolitan’ edge to the new park. n

‘ The rippling fifth elevation of the roof is like a huge splash, created by the diving figure the Aquatics Centre resembles. At night waves of light on the roof will exaggerate this effect’

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1 IN DETAIL 2 3

Architect: David Morley Architects Olympic use: Water polo Legacy use: Reused as part of the supply chain Best thing: Bold Worst thing: It’s swimming gone mad: yes, there are 56 medals for aquatic sports but does the Olympics really need this many pools?

KEY 4 6

1: Air-inflated translucent pthalate- free pvc double membrane.

2: Black out stressed pthalate-free pvc

5 7 8

3: Structure of reusable components

4: Public seating 5: Accredited stand 6: Platform for rented plant 7: Rented support accommodation 8: Public entrance facing bridge F09

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9: Levels arranged to minimize step-free access and avoid public lifts

10: Bridge F09 11: Bridge F10

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IN NUMBERS: 13,490m2

building, 37m long competition pool, 33m long warm-up pool, 25m highest point of arena, 12m lowest point WWW.RIBAJOURNAL.COM : SEPTEMBER 2011