Originally designed by the Australian firm PTW Architects, the Beijing National Aquatic Center (aka “The Water Cube”) is comprised of a steel space frame clad with 100,000 sq m of ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) bubbles that are only eight one-thousandths of an inch in total thickness. This transparent plastic film absorbs solar radiation and reduces thermal loss allowing for more light and heat penetration than traditional glass, resulting in a 30% decrease in energy costs over conventional materials.
You have to hand it to the Chinese in their acceptance of new building concepts. I just hope that the firms that have designed the buildings are not using this as a “proof of concept” for some of the materials used.
I’m just astounded by the ability of the Chinese to get these things constructed in the time they’ve done. The new Terminal 3 at the Beijing Capital Airport is an amazing piece of work and is, I believe, now the largest building in the world — completed in less than four years. Meanwhile… the “Freedom Tower” in New York has still yet to get off the ground — seven years after 9/11.
Terminal 3, alone, is larger that all of Heathrow. It was started in 2004. Staggering numbers.
I’m just astounded by the ability of the Chinese to get these things constructed in the time they’ve done.
The abundance of absurdly cheap labour, a complete lack of environmental regulations and the ability to displace a million poor people without restraint have a little something to do with that.
JB
Well, you’ve got to break a few eggs to make an omelette, as they say.
And a few heads, when those load-bearing beams weaken and snap in a couple months.
“let me put my water cube in your sweet donut.”
i need to get laid.
KEvron