Olympics Aquatics Center

Sports facility for the London 2012 Olympics

DesignConcept
The design concept for the London Aquatic Centre is inspired by the fluid geometry of moving water, creating spaces and a surrounding environment that resonate with the riverscape of the Olympic Park.
An undulating roof rises from the ground like a wave, enclosing, with its unifying gesture, the pools of the Centre, the entire volume encompasses the swimming and diving pools.
The London Aquatic Centre has been designed to be a flexible venue in terms of size and capacity for the London 2012 Olympic Games. At the same time, it is optimised for use in Legacy mode after the Games.

The context
The London Aquatic Centre is located within the Olympic Park Masterplan. The site is positioned on the south-eastern edge of the Olympic Park, with direct proximity to Stratford. The new pedestrian access is via the east-west bridge, called Stratford City Bridge, which links Stratford City to Stratford.
The bridge crossing the park will provide a full view of the side elevation. Several other smaller pedestrian bridges will connect the site to the Olympic Park across the existing canal.

Layout
The Aquatics Centre is planned on an axis orthogonal to the Stratford City Bridge. Stratford City Bridge. Along this axis are the three pools. The training pool is located under the bridge, while the competition and diving pools are located within a large volumetric hall.

The pool hall is topped by a large canopy that arches along the same axis as the pools. Its shape is generated by the sight lines for spectators during Olympic mode.
Double curvature geometry was used to create a structure of parabolic arches that create the unique features of the roof. The roof undulates to differentiate a visual separation within the hall between the volume of the competition pool and the volume of the diving pool.
The roof projects beyond the lobby envelope to extend the canopy to the exterior areas of the waterfalls and entrance bridge. The overhang of the roof above the entrance announces the presence of the London Aquatic Centre from the entrance of Stratford City or the Olympic Park.
Structurally, the roof is supported on 3 primary positions. Otherwise, the opening between the roof and the podium is filled with a glass facade.

Source: Zaha Hadid Architects