London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid
Fittingly inspired by 'waves, the water, sea life and sea life creatures,' according to its architect British-based Zaha Hadid, the new Aquatics Centre has just been completed, marking at the same time the official start for the London 2012 Olympic Games 1-year countdown.
Situated within the East London Olympic site, near the Park's south entrance, the Aquatics Centre is surrounded by the other main venues, as well as Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond's swiftly rising bright red ArcelorMittal Orbit. 'It is positioned as a gateway and the lifting entrance canopy will invite the visitors in,' explains lead architect Jim Heverin.
Its aerodynamic, aquatic-creature-inspired form is distinct, although as this is a forward-reaching project and firmly rooted to the legacy plan, it will only be revealed in its full glory after the Games. The characteristic timber-clad steel-framed curvaceous roof may be currently sandwiched between two steel extensions of decks and seating in order to accommodate the necessary numbers for the games, but it will cleverly downsize loosing its side additions after the Olympics to form a more sensibly sized, sustainable pool centre for the local community.
A number of regulations and restrictions -- including a site restriction, the Centre being bordered by the river on one side and the rail tracks on the other -- helped dictate the structure's shape both inside and out, although Hadid's design presence is unmistakable. From the building's smooth main material - concrete - to its family of five beautifully curved diving platforms, created out of the same cast on varying heights, the main elements and detailing is contemporary and dynamic.
The ceilings were not left out; quite the contrary. From the main competitive and diving pool hall grey sustainably sourced hardwood rolling roof to the concrete waffle-mesh shaped practice pool ceiling and even the perforated changing rooms one, ceilings seem to have been treated as one of interiors' main design features. Meanwhile the overall building 'achieves the biggest reduction possible in terms of carbon footprint', said Heverin.
Surrounded by the recently completed Olympic Stadium, the velodrome, handball and basketball arenas and the international broadcast centre, the Hadid-designed Aquatics Centre is ready for Olympic business, while also looking firmly ahead to its legacy afterlife. 'The aim was to do a pool for the legacy. It was very important that this project had a long-term, balanced effect,' says Hadid.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
After the floods, Valencia’s design community unites
Valencia's design community launches ‘Auction for Action’ and 'Interioristas en Acción' (IED), initiatives to raise money for those effected by the floods in Spain
By Suzanne Wales Published
-
In Helsinki, Pauline Curnier Jardin has created the grotesque amusement park of her dreams
French artist Pauline Curnier Jardin celebrates otherness at Kiasma, Helsinki’s Museum of Contemporary Art
By Alison Hugill Published
-
A celestial New York exhibition showcases Roman and Williams’ mastery of lighting
Lauded design studio Roman and Williams is exhibiting 100 variations of its lighting ‘family tree’ inside a historic Tribeca space
By Dan Howarth Published
-
Omniyat launches The Alba, new Zaha Hadid Architects-designed residences in Dubai
Developer Omniyat announces The Alba, ultra-luxury residences managed by Dorchester Collection and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects to blend ‘nature and cutting-edge design’
By Simon Mills Published
-
Load into this reimagined Fortnite cityscape, courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects
A collaboration between Epic Games and ZHA, Re:Imagine London brings the architects’ modular forms into one of the world’s most popular multiplayer games
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
The Henderson by ZHA in Hong Kong makes everyone sit up and pay attention
The Henderson, ZHA's new high-rise in Hong Kong, stands out in its coveted address through its unusual, fluted façade of glass columns
By Daven Wu Published
-
A guide to Zaha Hadid: from architecture to making 'a big hole' in Wallpaper*
Dame Zaha Hadid was a global, Pritzker Prize-winning architect and a force of nature; in this ultimate guide to her work, we celebrate her life, career and legacy
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Roca celebrates Zaha Hadid Design in London
New exhibition celebrates Roca London Gallery's tenth anniversary and the work of Zaha Hadid Design (ZHD)
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Snøhetta goes underground at the Ordrupgaard Art Museum
Snøhetta unveils new subterranean extension at the Ordrupgaard Art Museum in Denmark
By Shawn Adams Last updated
-
The buildings adding a new dimension to Miami’s skyline
As the Florida city’s architecture boom continues apace, here’s what’s next
By Jessica Klingelfuss Last updated
-
One Thousand Museum by ZHA completes in Miami
Zaha Hadid Architects' debut residential tower in the USA, the glamorous and organic One Thousand Museum in downtown Miami, has just been completed, featuring a range of amenities, as well as bespoke landscaping by specialist Enzo Enea
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated