Olympic Venues

[daveypodmore 520]

Just seen Wimbledon on the news. Centre court looks good, the grass is back. Lots of London 2012 logos in key places. Theres big shards exploding from the big screen on Henman Hill too

[Sir Rols 1902]

I hadn't noticed that pic before - looks like wattle - it's all in bloom here now. Our winter blossom.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Sir Rols

[Martijn 89]

(via @KNLTB)

[gotosy 493]

Olympic venue Eton Dorney to stage Rowing World Cup

Olympic venue Eton Dorney has been awarded the 2013 Rowing World Cup.

The world governing body for rowing, FISA, announced on Friday the second of the prestigious event's three regattas will be staged at the Court Lane venue after its successful hosting of London 2012 rowing and canoe sprint.

It will take place from June 21-23.

The World Cup was previously held at Dorney Lake, renamed Eton Dorney for this year's Olympics, in 2005 - the only time it has visited Britain.

Sydney will host the first regatta in March, with the third taking place in Lucerne, Switzerland, in July.

British Rowing also has the option of hosting another World Cup event in 2015

http://www.maidenhea...up-21082012.htm

[gotosy 493]

Sports venues to receive sand from Olympic beach volleyball courts

Sand from the temporary beach volleyball courts at Horse Guards Parade in London used for the Olympics is being sent to sports venues across the capital and the surrounding region.

Six venues, Wimbledon Park in Southfields, Barns Elms Sports Centre in Wandsworth, Verulamium Park in St Albans, Samuel Montagu Youth Centre in Greenwich, Redbridge's Loxford Park and Brentwood Leisure Centre in Essex are to receive more than 4,000 tons of sand from London 2012.

The project is funded by Sport England to boost interest and participation in volleyball.

...

http://www.insidethe...lleyball-courts

[gotosy 493]

Greenwich Park images five weeks after end of Olympics and Paralympics events

http://www.newsshopp...Olympic_events/

[gotosy 493]

London 2012 venues 'inspire' European sporting bids

Horse Guards Parade was used to host the Olympic beach volleyball events

Two European countries are taking inspiration from the London Games to help with their bids to host major sporting events.

The idea to host beach volleyball in Horse Guards Parade and archery at Lord's has prompted Denmark and Spain to plan similar events.

Representatives visited the Olympics on fact finding missions to learn about ticketing, venues and transportation.

Madrid is bidding to host the 2020 Olympics.

Referring to Horse Guards Parade, Theresa Zabell, chief executive officer for International Relations for the Madrid 2020 Olympic Bid Team, said: "It was really a wonderful idea to have one of the sporting venues inside such a cultural and iconic place.

'Major inspiration'

"When we came back (from London) we talked about it and we thought we could really do something like this.

"Madrid also has these great iconic places and we've started to include it in our bid book."

Madrid's plans include hosting beach volleyball on a platform on a lake in Retiro Park and regenerating an old bull fighting ring to host basketball.

It presents its bid on 7 January in Lausanne in Switzerland.

The Danes plan to host beach volleyball in front of their opera house in Copenhagen

Lars Vallentin Christensen, director of Sport Events at Wonderful Copenhagen in Denmark, said: "I had the pleasure of being in London for a couple of days. The main focus was to see how London was designing the streets and the venues to get people in and out, and the infrastructure.

"We were so impressed by the beach volleyball at Horse Guards with Big Ben in the background. It couldn't have been done better - that's a major inspiration for us.

"We have a list of major events in the future. We would like to host the Continental Cup BVB (beach volleyball) and we want to do it right in front of the opera house with the backdrop of the royal castle."

BBC

[gotosy 493]

Last seat removed from Olympic Park’s Basketball Arena

A builder removes the last seat from the temporary Basketball Arena. Picture: London Legacy Development Corporation

Imogen Blake
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
6:00 PM

Sports fans lucky enough to get tickets crowded into the Basketball Arena on the Olympic Park to watch athletes battle for a gold medal, but anyone visiting now would be even harder pressed to find a place to sit - as all seats have been removed from the venue.

The inside of the temporary Basketball Arena being dismantled. Picture: London Legacy Development Corporation

These pictures show the last seat being taken out as part of the ongoing transformation of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Of the 12,000 seats which have been taken out, 7,000 have been sold and 3,000 will be used in the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, being built in Eton Manor, where the wheelchair tennis was held in the summer.

The remaining 2,000 will be made available through the rental market.

The Basketball Arena will be completely removed by summer, when work will begin to create 850 new homes in its place as part of the Chobham Manor development.

The arena, between the Athletes Village and the Velodrome, is one of three temporary venues being removed by the London Legacy Development Cooperation (LLDC), the body in charge of the Park’s transformation.

Work has begun to dismantle the Waterpolo Arena, and the Riverbank Arena, where hockey was played, has already been taken down.

Sections of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will start to reopen in July after all the temporary structures and roads are cleared away, new roads and walkways are created to fully connect the Park to the surrounding area and bridges, parklands and venues are completed for permanent use.

http://www.london24.com/news/olympics-paralympics/olympics-legacy/pictures_last_seat_removed_from_olympic_park_s_basketball_arena_1_1785821

[baron-pierreIV 1693]

it's all a memory now.

[gotosy 493]

Olympic Basketball Arena is on the market

GL Events has put the Olympic Basketball Arena up for sale, as well as the temporary seating used across several Olympic and Paralympic venues.

Potential buyers can purchase the temporary structure as a whole package, including all 12,000 seats, or choose solely to buy the interior seating and stands.

In its search for buyers, GL Events is targeting emerging sporting markets such as Brazil, Russia, China and the Middle East, as well as the USA.

GL Events Owen Brown is managing the sale of the temporary structure, while GL Events Slick Seating is overseeing the sale of seating.

Slick Seating won the contract to supply around 125,000 temporary seats to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It manufactured the arena’s entire internal seating structure, as well as grandstands used at other Olympic venues, including the Riverbank Arena, Greenwich Park and Lord’s Cricket Club, which hosted the archery.

Alex Robertson, managing director of GL Events Owen Brown Consortium, said the 2012 Games were a "coming-of-age" for temporary structures.

"Not only did they perform a multitude of tasks necessary for the smooth running of the Games, they helped the organising committee avoid a legacy of unwanted buildings and enabled events to be staged at iconic locations, which gave the London 2012 Games a wow factor like no other before it," he said.

"The jewel in the crown of everything that GL Events supplied to London 2012 is undoubtedly the Basketball Arena which, despite the temporary nature of its design, could easily be reconstructed and would give excellent service for many years."

The GL Events consortium manufactured and supplied 170,000sqm of temporary buildings during the Games – enough to cover 22 football pitches.

At 115m long and 35m high, the basketball arena was the largest single temporary structure used at an Olympic Games. It is currently being dismantled at the Olympic Park.

http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/Event_suppliers/article/1166997/olympic-basketball-arena-market/

[intoronto 650]

It would be cool to have the arena shipped to Rio

[Olympian2004 511]

Won't happen. They originally planned that, but ultimately decided against it: http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/plans-to-re-use-olympic-basketball-arena-in-rio-shelved/8632974.article

But who knows? Maybe one of the 2020 bid cities is interested? It would be fantastic indeed to see Olympic venues re-used by subsequent host cities.

I fear, however, that one of those abundantly rich sheikhs in Qatar or somewhere else in the Arab world will buy it as yet another expensive toy and yet another sign of the megalomaniac pretence of becoming a "sports nation of global significance, right in the middle of the desert".

[intoronto 650]

Its a cool idea.

Why not create a standard of 4-5 temporary venues and move them around to different Olympic hosts. Some of the arenas can be used for Winter Olympic events like figure skating.

[paul 619]

…Because it costs more and wastes more energy to move and assemble
than to build in the next location. If you really want to be green it’s probably

better to design a disposable building.

[Martijn 89]

mondo*arc is a magazine about architectural lighting design. A few weeks ago they've published a special suplement about the Olympics.

View: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A2dbod/MondoArcOlympicSuppl/resources/index.htm

Video's: http://www.mondoarc.com/olympic/

The Aug/Sep 2012 issue: http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1xxfg/MondoArcAugSep2012Is/resources/index.htm

[Martijn 89]

IFAI announces the 2013 International Achievement Award winners

(Roseville, Minn. – Oct. 24, 2013) – The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI)

announces the 2013 International Achievement Awards (IAA) for design excellence in specialty

fabrics applications, that took place Oct. 24 at the IFAI Specialty Fabrics Expo 2013 and

Advanced Textiles Conference & Trade Show, at the Orlando Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

IFAI received a total of 236 entries from 13 countries that were submitted for 29 categories in

this year’s competition. Winners were selected based on complexity, design, workmanship,

uniqueness and function. Judges included industry experts, editors, architects, educators and

design professionals who were chosen for their knowledge in a particular field of study or

product area.

http://www.ifaipublications.com/iaa/

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
AIR STRUCTURES

London 2012 Water Polo Venue

Architen Landrell Associates

In preparation for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) requested a bespoke temporary fabric venue to host water polo sporting events. Located inside the Olympic Park, next to the Aquatic Centre and the Stadium, this striking venue accommodated 5,000 spectators. The key requirement from the ODA was that the venue would be completely dismantled after the Olympics, with elements reused elsewhere in the UK. The PVC fabric was to be fully recycled and/or used for future structures.

London 2012's Water Polo Arena is comprised of Phthalate-free PVC coated polyester cushions forming the sloping roof of the structure. The tensile fabric cushions are inflated with air handling units, ensuring the structure retains its shape. The sides of the building are comprised of a single layer of PVC. The exterior of the venue features integrated lighting around the perimeter which illuminates the structure at night. The structure glows with brilliance, making it an Olympic highlight.

This is the first ever dedicated venue for water polo for an Olympic Games and it was designed to satisfy the unusual sightline requirements of the sport. The building was built using components from the temporary construction industry, so that after the Games components will go back into the supply chain. The inflated fabric roof provides extra insulation to the venue, reducing condensation, while creating a stunning work of architecture (which looks permanent) in the heart of the Olympic Park. Our company patterned, manufactured, project managed and installed 10,500 square meters of fabric. This was a huge challenge given we were working under extremely tight deadlines. The venue had to be ready nearly one year before Opening Ceremonies for test events. Getting it right was critical.

Completed in just 13 months, the Water Polo Arena looks stunning and was a tremendous success. In the daylight, sunlight reflects off its silver fabric membrane. At night, the fabric venue comes to life with colour-changing lights, becoming an artistic focal point for spectators. Dennis Hone, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) said, "Completing the construction of the Water Polo Arena marks the end of the ODA's major venue work on the Olympic Park. That we've been able to do it using the combined expertise of companies from across the UK shows how British businesses can rise to the challenge of meeting the ultimate deadline - and exceed expectations."

Project details

Location: London, England
Fabrics: PrÈcontraint 1002 S NPP by Ferrari S.A. from Ferrari S.A.
Engineer: Momentum Engineering and Tensys Ltd.
Architect: David Morley Architects

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
FABRIC ART

The Apple

Architen Landrell Associates

We designed and manufactured a bespoke inflatable, hand-painted fabric apple. The apple is comprised of two semi-circle inflatable fabric sections, attached to the steelwork, making up the shape of the apple. The fabric structure was mounted on a platform (made to look like a book) and was pushed around the Olympic stadium for everyone to view. The apple was the central focal point during an apple-themed segment of the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremonies. The apple was 'driven' by a Paralympic athlete in a wheel chair (attached to the top of the apple) around the stadium for a crowd of over 60,000 cheering spectators. The rotating apple was designed to represent Sir Isaac Newton and the three laws of motion.

The Paralympic Opening Ceremony paid homage to Isaac Newton's discovery of gravity by creating the world's biggest 'apple bite.' The massive collective crunch took place in the 'gravity' section of the ceremony, where audience members simultaneously took a bite from thousands of apples that were given upon arrival to the ceremony. Taking centre stage was the 'world's largest fabric apple' - one of the highlights of the Opening Ceremonies.

A team of artists hand-painted the PVC coated polyester fabric membrane gold and yellow to look like a golden delicious apple. To make it look more apple-like, we then pulled in one side of the fabric to create the 'dimple.' A simple hand-held fan was used to inflate the fabric membrane on both sides which allowed it to take on its apple-like form.

Not only was the apple a crowd-pleaser, but it also sparked a lot of discussion about the apple's composition. The apple is a prime example of the creativity that tensile fabric can offer and the dynamic structures it can create.

Project details

Location: London, England
Fabrics: Valmex FR 700 by Mehler Texnologies GmbH from Mehler Texnologies GmbH
Installation: Total Fabrications

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

TENT MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN

The London 2012 Games Shooting Ranges

Base Structures Ltd.

Stunning architecture has become a trademark of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Games, with environmental credentials being of paramount importance for the recent London 2012 Games. The three shooting range structures are not only at the forefront of contemporary design, but they are also fully demountable and re-locatable, amply fulfilling the environmental criteria. Together they hosted the shooting, paralympic shooting and paralympic archery events which consist of the 25-meter, combined 50/100-meter and the finals shooting ranges, housing a total of 3,800 seats for spectators. Each structure is wrapped in a three-dimensional membrane, individually identified by the bright discs of colour which are set into the high and low points that create dramatic undulations in the facade. The orange-themed finals building measured an impressive 25 meters by 47 meters by 50 meters, requiring 16,000 square meters of fabric to fully clothe it inside and out. The magenta-themed combined range measured 10 meters by 20 meters by 106 meters and required 9,000 square meters of fabric. The blue-themed 25-meter range structure measured 25 meters by 55 meters by 10 meters and required 5,000 square meters of fabric. The high-level coloured discs incorporate ventilation openings whilst at ground level they identify doorways for ingress through similarly coloured tunnels into the sporting arenas.

A number of key considerations combined to inform the design and build of the shooting ranges. It was of paramount importance to create a perfect environment for the shooting events, taking into account natural lighting, shadows and air movements within the structures. They also needed to be fully demountable to enable them to be transported and reused after the London 2012 Games. Since they were located in the historic Royal Artillery Barracks site in Woolwich, East London, it was of paramount importance that the structures left no permanent trace - even the foundation piles made from recycled steel pipe were removed after the Games to be re-used elsewhere. Although it was decided to use PVC fabric due to its strength, light weight and malleability, not to mention its cost effectiveness compared to PTFE and ETFE, due to the environmental restrictions on the London 2012 sites it became necessary to source a phthalate-free PVC. This was developed and produced by fabric manufacturer Serge Ferrari in time for the construction of the shooting ranges, specified to adhere to the strict environmental policy of the London 2012 site. The bright colours for the discs, which act as tensioners for the undulating fabric membrane, were printed onto the PVC fabric using UV inkjet technology, an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional solvent print.

To achieve the perfect environment for the shooting events, Building Information Modelling (BIM) was utilised for the design with the architect, contractor and structural frame supplier working closely together from the conceptual design stage. Air flow and temperature were optimised by placing the coloured circular openings at high and low levels, encouraging natural ventilation, while the double-layered fabric membrane provided the required level of insulation. The natural translucency of the fabric also reduced the need for artificial lighting for spectators inside the structures. These factors combined to lower the energy required to operate the structures, minimising carbon emissions. Since it was important to demount and transport the structures, a modular frame was created by ES Global that used standard steel box trusses that had been previously fabricated. It was in this manner that it was possible to ensure ease of build, take down and re-use with over 80 percent of the buildings using existing rental stock. For the entire build, only the fabric, tensioning rings and connection pieces needed to be specially manufactured, resulting in significant environmental and financial savings. Base Structures Ltd. then completed the detail fabric design, membrane manufacture and membrane installation. During the installation of the 50/100-meter combined range an unusual quad tracking lift, simultaneously using four cranes, was required to lift the enormous fabric membrane into position.

The London 2012 Games used 25 temporary structures in total, more than any other major sporting event. In this capacity, the shooting ranges played a starring role on a world stage, successfully demonstrating the architectural, environmental and commercial possibilities of temporary fabric structures. Although the shooting range structures are now dismantled, their legacy continues, with elements now planned to be reused in future major sporting events.

Project details

Location: London, United Kingdom
Fabrics: PrÈcontraint 1002 (9003S2) by Ferrari S.A. from Ferrari S.A.
Engineer: Mott MacDonald
Architect: Magma Architecture

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
FABRIC GRAPHICS

Dow Olympic Stadium Wrap

Rainier Industries

The Dow Chemical Company, an Olympic Sponsor, selected our company to produce and install the London 2012 Olympic Stadium Wrap. Dow’s goal was to help the games be more safe and sustainable. Designed to envelop the entire outside facade of the stadium, the wrap encircles an area of over 200,010 square feet and includes 336 panels. Each panel is twisted 90 degrees from top to bottom in the form of a helix, spanning 8-1/2 feet wide by 80 feet high. The panels will be emblazoned with artwork commissioned by the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The Cooley Group was enlisted to extrude a new and unique non-PVC material made from resins created by the Dow Chemical Company’s Performance Plastics Division which require fewer raw materials in the fabric’s production. A subcontractor was responsible for the design, cabling and installation of the 336 fabric panels.

According to Dow, “The Olympic Wrap material will be up to 35 percent lighter and have a lower carbon footprint when compared to conventional materials. Other sustainable elements of the wrap include UV-curable inks replacing conventional inks which reduce emissions during the printing process and eliminate volatile organic compounds. The wrap will include post-industrial recycled content and the hardware used to hang the wrap will be recycled in Europe following the games.”

Dow is thrilled with the Olympic Wrap. They see it as a game-changer in showcasing innovation, collaboration and sustainability on a global scale.

Project details

Location: London, England
Fabric: Specially made non-PVC material by DOW Chemical Company
Specially made resins by DOW Chemical Company
Design and Installation: FabriTec Structures

[Martijn 89]

For those interested in architecture and the 2012 olympics:

The Architecture of the Olympics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHI0NQ_mcjo

Speaker(s): Andy Altman, Professor Ricky Burdett, Jim Eyre, Jim Heverin, Michael Taylor
Chair: Sir Nicholas Serota
Recorded on 15 May 2012 in Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building.

This event brings together the key decision makers and architects of the London 2012 Olympic Games facilities to discuss the architecture and design of London 2012.

Andy Altman is Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Ricky Burdett is Professor of Urban Studies at LSE and director of LSE Cities and the Urban Age programme.

Jim Eyre is director of WilkinsonEyre Architects.

Jim Heverin is Associate Director of Zaha Hadid Architects.

Nicholas Serota is director of the Tate.

Michael Taylor is Senior Partner at Hopkins Architects.

mp3 audio podcast available here -http://www.lse.ac.uk/newsAndMedia/videoAndAudio/channels/publicLecturesAndEvents/player.aspx?id=1477

[Martijn 89]

Archmarathon: speech Magma Architecture - Project Olympic Shooting Stands

[Martijn 89]

Archmarathon: speech Hopkins Architects - Project London Velodrome