Bird’s Nest
Bird’s Nest is a colloquially name of China National Stadium in Beijing. It was constructed especially for the Summer Olympics Games in 2008 (and also for Paraolypics).
The story started when Chinese government announced a competition for the project of new National Stadium. Many architectural offices signed in and presented amazing visions of China’s most important arena. But I must admit that from all those great propositions they have chosen the best. The winner was Herzog & de Meuron architectural company from Switzerland (with help from Stefan Marbach, Ai Weiwei and CADG lead by Li Xinggang).
Bird’s Nest is tremendous example of modern architecture and Chinese power of huge investments. The whole construction was built in just 4 and a half a year, which is not very long for such big project. The cost if this investment is estimated about 423 million dollars and is world’s biggest steel structure.
China National Stadium's steel exterior. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
China National Stadium's steel exterior - night view. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
The design is based on “nest theme” and the whole building is supposed to look like a giant bird’s nest. That idea ended with brilliant project of unique building not comparable to any other all over the world. At first the construction of the roof is based on 24 trussed columns encrasing the inner field (each one weight about 1000 tons). But after accident of the roof with similar construction in France the project was reinvented. 9.000 seets were removed and the whole huge roof construction never seen the daylight. Removing huge steel construction also helped to reduce the cost of building. The new look was more opened to the outer world, more resistant to potential seismic activity. The upper part of the roof was changed to protect the audience from negative weather conditions. Building’s capacity was set to 91.000 seats during the Olympics and 80.000 after the big event.
Grand Opening of Summer Olympics 2008. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
Nevertheless the final result is outstanding. The stadium is one of the most beautiful sport objects in the world and one of the most impressive. Comparing to investor plan the whole investment should start giving real profits in about 5 years after the grand opening in 2008.
Bird's Nest. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
Bird's Nest. Photo taken from Skyscrapercity forums.
Tags: Amazing, Architecture, Beijing, China, construction, stadium