The Tower Bridge Fox Posted March 31, 2009 Report Share Posted March 31, 2009 I saw this last night as well.Even for what passes as a positive news story on London 2012 this was a bit downbeat. I can't remember the exact wording but saying "this is the jewel in the crown of an otherwise dull park" seemed unduly negative, as if they felt guilty about running a good news story on 2012 and had to draw in the Evening Standard audience as well. Good to see some pictures of the build on TV though. Thats what I thought as well , the BBC don't seem to be able to run a story on the Olyipics without a negativ twist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted June 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2009 Construction of the wave-shaped roof of the London 2012 Aquatics Centre has reached its halfway point. The erection of the 160m-long, 2,800-tonne roof started just three months ago and is considered one of the most complex engineering and construction challenges of the Olympic Park ‘big build’. This is what it will look like soon enough: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 From DarJoLe on Skyscrapercity. He's got some more over there but this is the best one: And to think the original plans were double the size of this!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 This is what it will look like soon enough: Is that how it will look in 'games mode'??? or Legacy?! Have they scrapped plans to add on the 'wings'? Sorry, I have not been keeping tabs on the recent developments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 Well, that's obviously just the roof. But no, they haven't scrapped the wings which is a shame but presumably unavoidable. So essentially that's its shape in legacy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafa Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 The wings are not a shame. Nobody needs 17,500 seats around a pool. There are MANY ways to keep the wings but simple design a more aesthetically pleasing wrap perhaps with some curves to match the roof. Perhaps a cheap mesh wrapped around a more different shape instead of the block like shape currently proposed would make a world of difference. Like the horrible IBC design, Good design is not related to high costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 The wings are not a shame. Nobody needs 17,500 seats around a pool. No, I didn't mean a shame in that sense. They're entirely necessary. I meant it's a shame that they look like they do and it's a shame that they are a necessary evil. In other words I agree with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafa Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 Necessary but not evil. As I've said above, a few minor adjustments to the design they can be memorable parts of the structure without the "standing out like a monstrosity" look.. It could probably be achieved within the same budget, although one must wonder where the ODA go to get their materials because they seem to pay double/triple the normal cost for their subcontracts with material suppliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakydoky Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 Well, that's obviously just the roof. But no, they haven't scrapped the wings which is a shame but presumably unavoidable. So essentially that's its shape in legacy. Why do the temporary 'wings' have to be covered? Why not celebrate the temporary appearance of the 'wings' as covering them, in my opinion, makes the venues look awkward and 'heavy'. The water polo venue will be uncovered. I think this solution would also allow audiences to appreciate the sculptural quality of Zaha Hadid's roof. Heres a few examples from Foreign office architects for an idea of what I'm getting at: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 Why do the temporary 'wings' have to be covered? Good question. But they may look more ungainly covered rather than not? In case of rain? Just guesses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakydoky Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 Good question. But they may look more ungainly covered rather than not? In case of rain? Just guesses. Even if it rains it is not a big deal. The athletes will be protected under the main roof in any weather. I think it could be spectacular - it would create a festival like atmosphere where people in the parkland would be able to absorb the atmosphere coming out of the venue. Keeping the wing's 'open' like the pictures I posted would, in my opinion would heighten the architecture and atmosphere. As things stand, London is paying £300 million for a venue which is stunning in legacy mode - but the eyes of the world will be on London during the games and not after. I feel improving the way the 'wings' look would enhance the Olympic park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 It might have that effect, or it might just look unfinished. I think the sheer size of this thing will wow the world anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafa Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 I think rain makes no roof a no-no but in other cities I'm actually warming up to the idea. When did a roof become such a necessity. Barcelona had class without a roof over its venue. Sometimes concrete stands and a pool can be memorable too. The focus should be on good architecture first, before we go overboard with too many frills and spills. Chicago's aquatic centre design is a good example of sticking to the basics without being elaborate but maintaining good design principles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 When did a roof become such a necessity. Barcelona had class without a roof over its venue. Sometimes concrete stands and a pool can be memorable too. The focus should be on good architecture first, before we go overboard with too many frills and spills. Barcelona's had a touch of class and Location, Location, Location! Probably my favourite venue of all time. One of my few regrets about Sydney was that they didn't use North Sydney Pool, which hosted swimming in the 1938 Empire Games. I would have even been prepared to lose Luna Park (our urban amusement park next door - a shadow of what it once was now anyway) to see swimming in 2000 go there. I suppose transport made that imposible to achieve in 2000, but wow it would have been a stunning venue (especially at night with the rings on the bridge)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafa Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 100% Roltel. Would have been iconic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakydoky Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 It might have that effect, or it might just look unfinished. I think the sheer size of this thing will wow the world anyway. Even with the wings the way they are, London's aquatic venue will be magnificent. To my eyes it's one of the best swimming venues I've ever seen. However, I just feel that the part which slightly affects the look of the venue or at least could be improved is the wings and their covering. With just open wings jutting out the sides of the Zaha Hadid sculptural roof, it would acknowledge the temporary nature of the venue as opposed to hiding it. CABE for example gave that critique to the main Olympic stadium and the wrap covering it - hence it got changed to triangular shapes to expose the temporary stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafa Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 One of my many aquatic centre designs. See more here and here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 I can see what you're getting at and you might well be right. It's hard to picture, that's the problem. And I agreed with CABE about the stadium. Allowing the stadium to be see through with the temporary elements showing is a much better idea than the original. I just wonder whether your idea for the aquatics centre would look too...erm, naked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 I can see what you're getting at and you might well be right. It's hard to picture, that's the problem.And I agreed with CABE about the stadium. Allowing the stadium to be see through with the temporary elements showing is a much better idea than the original. I just wonder whether your idea for the aquatics centre would look too...erm, naked. I guess people will get used to it. Of course the temporary shell will also hide all the scaffolding -- and give relief to spectators not just from the rain but from the sun as well. And of course, the exposed elements would impact the competition events inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rafa Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 Some of the pics posted by Darren a while back: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tower Bridge Fox Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 Why do the temporary 'wings' have to be covered? Why not celebrate the temporary appearance of the 'wings' as covering them, in my opinion, makes the venues look awkward and 'heavy'. The water polo venue will be uncovered. I think this solution would also allow audiences to appreciate the sculptural quality of Zaha Hadid's roof.Heres a few examples from Foreign office architects for an idea of what I'm getting at: I think this lower image shows the lighter temporary seating, Its definitely less awkward looking. But we have to be careful not to make things look to temporary ie might collapse during the games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevzz Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 If you think rationally, the wrap plays a very functional role of the temp stand. Apart from protecting the spectators from the unpredictable British summer, the internal volume needs to be covered for HDTV broadcast. The mesh also as mentioned disguise the massive scaffolding structure. With a roof over the seating, it will also provide support structure for lighting and speakers etc. If its just the temp seating exposed like that, it will be so hideous and looks half-baked with a naked Legacy roof standing with two massive stand at the side. Not to mention all the messy scaffolding being exposed, extra tall light towers to illuminate the temp seating at night and moaning spectators should it rain all the time. Think about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted July 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 One of my many aquatic centre designs. See more here and here It looks like Calatrava has stolen Hadid's 2012 blueprints and imposed his skeletal style upon them I think that's a good thing Mo, before you ask... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 One of my many aquatic centre designs. See more here and here Actually, this reminds me of those sunshades for your car...the flexible ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tower Bridge Fox Posted July 20, 2009 Report Share Posted July 20, 2009 If you think rationally, the wrap plays a very functional role of the temp stand.Apart from protecting the spectators from the unpredictable British summer, the internal volume needs to be covered for HDTV broadcast. The mesh also as mentioned disguise the massive scaffolding structure. With a roof over the seating, it will also provide support structure for lighting and speakers etc. If its just the temp seating exposed like that, it will be so hideous and looks half-baked with a naked Legacy roof standing with two massive stand at the side. Not to mention all the messy scaffolding being exposed, extra tall light towers to illuminate the temp seating at night and moaning spectators should it rain all the time. Think about it. I agree, I don’t think leaving it exposed is a viable option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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