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OLYMPIC GAMES / AQUATICS CENTRE, LONDON, UK


Sitting at the gateway to the Olympic Park, the Aquatic Centre is emblematic of the London 2012 ethos. Its world-class design uses technologies and techniques that allow the venue to serve the practical needs of the Games themselves whilst making provi- sion for long-term, ‘legacy mode’ use. Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) designed the structure, applying their bold expressive style to create a building inspired by the fluid geometries of water in motion – a nod to both the venue’s riverside location and the activities taking place within. An undulating roof sweeps up from the


ground as a single unified wave that accom- modates the different height requirements of the main swimming and diving pools. In games mode, two wings of temporary stands flank the building to seat 17,500 spectators. These are to be dismantled post-games with large glazed walls sealing the openings left by their absence. The Aquatics Centre is positioned on the south-eastern edge of the Olympic Park with direct proximity to the Stratford district of London. A new pedestrian access to the Olympic Park via the east-west Stratford City Bridge passes directly over the Centre


as a primary gateway to the Park. The building itself is planned on an orthogo- nal axis that runs perpendicular to Stratford City Bridge, with all three pools – main, div- ing and training - aligned on this axis. The training pool is located under the bridge as part of the centre’s podium structure. ZHA worked alongside Arup to complete the lighting scheme for the project. The cen- tre’s design and the testing of ideas were a collaborative process, drawing on the input and expertise of stakeholders including the architects, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the London Development Agency


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