Beijing Olympic Stadium (the "Bird's Nest") - by Herzog & de Meuron

[Kris]

This is one of three entries selected from the thirteen initial ones. Hopefully it will be the winner. From a collaboration between Herzog & de Meuron and China Architecture Design Institute.




Architectural Summary

The new National Stadium is located on a gentle rise in the centre of the Olympic complex. It is conceived as a large collective vessel. An undulating composition of high and low elevations moderates the bulk of the vessel and gives it a dramatic sweeping form. The stadium's appearance is pure structure. Facade and structure are identical. The structural elements mutually support each other and converge into a grid-like formation – almost like a bird's nest with its interwoven twigs. The spatial effect of the stadium is novel and radical and yet simple and of an almost archaic immediacy, thus creating a unique historical landmark for the Olympics 2008.

The stadium is conceived as a large collective vessel which makes a distinctive and unmistakable impression both when it is seen from a distance and from close up. It meets all the functional and technical requirements of an Olympic National Stadium, but without communicating the insistent sameness of technocratic architecture dominated by large spans and digital screens. The spatial effect of the stadium is novel and radical and yet simple and of an almost archaic immediacy. Its appearance is pure structure. Facade and structure are identical. The structural elements mutually support each other and converge into a grid-like formation, in which facades, stairs and the roof are integrated.

Visitors walk through this formation and enter the spacious ambulatory that runs full circle around the stands. From there one can survey the circulation of the entire area including the stairs that access the three tiers of the stands. Functioning like an arcade or a concourse, the lobby is a covered urban space with restaurants and stores that invite visitors to stroll around.

The stands are designed without any interruption to evoke the image of a bowl. This evenly constructed shape serves to focus attention on the spectators and the events on the field. The human crowd forms the architecture. The facility provides good comfort, excellent views and a superb atmosphere. It will generate crowd excitement and drive athletes to outstanding performances.

The Exterior Shell – Inflated Cushions as a Filler

Just as birds stuff the spaces between the woven twigs of their nests with a soft filler, the spaces in the structure of the stadium will be filled with inflated ETFE cushions. On the roof, the cushions will be mounted on the outside of the structure to make the roof completely weatherproof. Whilst the rain is collected for rainwater recuperation the sunlight filters through the translucent roof providing the lawn with essential UV-Radiation. On the facade, the inflated cushions will be mounted on the inside of the structure where necessary, e.g. to provide wind protection. Since all of the facilities – restaurants, suites, shops and restrooms – are all self-contained units, it is possible to do largely without a solid, enclosed facade. This allows natural ventilation of the stadium which is the most important aspect of the stadium's sustainable design.

The Sliding Roof – the Lid of the Tin

The sliding roof is an integral part of the structure of the stadium. When it is closed, it converts the stadium into a covered arena. Just as a tin is only complete with a lid, the roof, whether closed or open, is an elementary part of the whole. With its own structural logic, it is also a grid-like formation that forms a waterproof shell together with the inflated cushions.











Descriptions and renderings of all the entries: http://www.bjghw.gov.cn/forNationalStadium/indexeng.asp

[Kris]

Allianz Arena, Munich (under construction):





The walls of the 66,000-capacity structure, designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, will comprise inflatable plastic cushions. Through a series of lighting elements the colours of the cushions will change depending on what team is playing at home. White/blue or red/white diamonds will move over the walls as if it is a giant LED screen.

[jack]

now why can't they propose something like that for the Jets and New York Olympics?

[NoyokA]

That would not work in New York, thats why.

The sea-coral. And the air bag, powder donut, pin-cushion, whatever. Inspired it is.

(Edited by Stern at 3:18 pm on April 1, 2003)

[Gulcrapek]

It makes me hungry.

[Kris]

Too marvelous and extraordinary to even be considered in NY, where such wonders are of the past - unless a major landmark is destroyed and has to be replaced. People would reject the "alien invasion" immediately. Unusual architectural beauty not long ago integrated by habit has been banished.

[NYatKNIGHT]

Maybe this Chinese Stadium wouldn't work in New York, but it does make me wish that the proposed Jets Stadium had a more inspiring design than what we've seen.

[Fabb]

Too marvelous and extraordinary to even be considered in NY, where such wonders are of the past - unless a major landmark is destroyed and has to be replaced. People would reject the "alien invasion" immediately. Unusual architectural beauty that was not integrated by habit long ago has been banished.

Even though you can always find somebody who rejects any kind of change in the cityscape, I'm sure that in general, people in NY would welcome an unusual architectural beauty.

The problem is, nobody would be willing to fund it.

[dbhstockton]

Yeah, the problem has been the shameful lack of imagination on the part of developers. *The market is there for more daring architecture, but the developers don't have the vision or the guts to provide it. *

[ddny]

The Beijing Stadium is great.

The proposed Jets stadium needs alot more work (imagination). I guess I was expecting alot more than a square structure...

[Kris]

Swiss architects scoop Olympic gold

The design by the Basel-based duo, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, was chosen by an international jury and by visitors to an exhibition of projects for the stadium.

Out of 6,000 visitors, 3,506 voted for the Swiss design, which was up against stiff competition from Chinese and Japanese architects.

“We knew that our design was extraordinary, but it’s always a lottery,” Harry Gugger, the partner in charge of the stadium project, told swissinfo.

“For an architect, winning [this competition] is like [qualifying] for the Olympic Games – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

Bird’s nest

The design is inspired by the interwoven twigs of a bird’s nest and consists of transparent, plastic shells, through which the stadium lights will shine.

The Swiss architects will work together with Chinese experts to build the arena, which will seat 100,000 spectators.

“I think we sort of reinvented stadium architecture,” said Gugger. “You can’t change the basic form of a stadium… but you can add a new architectural quality.”

Herzog and de Meuron have already won a string of important contracts for major venues, notably St Jakob’s Park stadium, home of Swiss football team, FC Basel.

Chinese contracts

Herzog and de Meuron’s win comes months after another Basel-based practice, Burckhardt + Partner, won a contract for a large sports complex for the 2008 Olympics.

And the Ticino-based architect, Mario Botta, recently designed the Museum of Modern Art in Beijing.

Gugger said the clutch of contracts scooped by Swiss architects in China was a sign of Switzerland’s prominence in the field of international architecture.

“There’s a huge market in China, which is now open to international architects,” explained Gugger. “Swiss architecture ranks high internationally and it’s only natural that they are getting their share.”

swissinfo, Vanessa Mock and Joanne Shields

[Fabb]

Bravo.
Vive la Suisse !

[Kris]

Et à bas la France! Je plaisante.

[Fabb]

Why ?
The French designed the opera house in Beijing. Or Shanghai. Or both, I don't remember.

[Kris]

Shanghai. I don't think much of it.


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