[Christian]

The architectural competition for the new Beijing National Stadium contains 13 proposals. The winner has been deseidet quite a while ago, but here are all 13 proposals, enjoy! Because of the size i had to present only a few images of each proposal, and i made the file size far smaller then the original once.

Beijing National Stadium proposal 1

Emerging from the landscape, and shaped by nature, the design will create a simple symbolic link - a bridge - between old and new,
between people and country and China with the world.

The design introduces an innovative solution to the provision of temporary seats during the Olympic Games. All the temporary seats
are under cover and all seats enjoy excellent views to the field of play. It adopts high technology principles for operational management
and interaction with the environment.

The moving roof created like two leaves is simple, elegant and economical. After the games, people will be able to walk, via a safe
and secure path, along over the leading edge of the roof. The extended “wings” of the roof, as an integral function of
the moving roof and a fundamental part of an efficient roof structure, allow for up to 200,000 people to have a direct experience of
the Games.

This post has been edited by Christian: 17 February 2005 - 10:02 AM

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 2

The design creates an image of a floating water lilly, surrounded by petals and blossoms, emerging in a gently undulating pond.
The stand installations are built for fixed as well as temporary seating with optimal viewing positions. After its dismantling, a
very unique leisure park will be developed. On the "roof" of the stands, offering a grandiose, stairs and elevators access
this panoramic sky-garden independent of the internal Stadium function.

The 45° slanted, outer glass skin thermally encircles the stadium and all its exterior functional and circulation areas and creates
an equally dynamic and peaceful, outer form. The lightly inclined roof skin, consisting of transparent air cushions resting on a
light, pre-stressed cable roof structure, is unique in this dimension.

The central roof can be completely opened to a diameter of 130 meters. The unobstructed view of the spectator through the transparent
roof skin, despite the indoor-arena-quality, is a world-class novelty.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 3

The design preserves the 45-meter height limitation with the exception of the roof structure, but the bottom rail of the tallest roof section is 99 meters from the competition pitch. The Stadium will have a total floor area of 164,000 m2, which can accommodate 100,000 spectators. The stadium bowl is partially sunken with a filigree of ramps that link the stands with the surrounding landscape to form open and clear accessibility.

The transparency of the roof petals allow for the shading of the grandstands while providing for superior natural light and weather permitting allow the stadium to be opened for natural ventilation. The roof is a series of light free flowing forms that flow over the stadium to form a series of petals that can open and close to suit a large variety of conditions. The roof is made of the Teflon coated fiberglass, which allows the natural turf to grow for a superior athletic field surface.

The structures of the petals are basic stable arch forms that are structurally efficient and have been used in manmade structures since before the classical periods. Yet the sheer spans, movement, elegance and lightness to be achieved in these arches will reflect our ever-increasing understanding of the science and technology around us.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 4

The Olympic Stadium, 79,574 fixed seats are installed on the stand, of which ordinary seats are 72,930 with 500mm width of
seats and 850mm depth of rows. If it is needed, temporary stands with 20,740 seats could be added in both the south
and the north stands. Multi-functional development operation after-event is one of the key points in the design proposals.

After Olympic Games, this Stadium will offer 11,300m2 of service room to be further developed. The height of this kind of
room is nearly 7m, the columns spacing is nearly 9m. They are all spacious room with large span offering favorable conditions
for varied operation and development in the future.

When the roof is open, the open-air area is 32,000m2. The lowest layer of the roof adopts the fixed aluminium composite
board. The upper two layers of the retractable roof adopt the efficient membrane material with high performance. Since
the membrane material is very good at deformation resistance, impact resistance, sound absorption and light transmittance,
it is helpful to economize the investment, the maintenance cost and the operation expense in the future.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 5

The 100,000-seat stadium has been conceived as a two tiered solution with exclusive areas incorporated within. All tiered seats
have an unobstructed view of athletics. Lowering the field reduces the amount of “finish skin” on the facility, the vertical
scale of the facility, and the height of vertical transportation, easier access to the roads around the stadium. Within the Grand
Hall are two permanent restaurants, open to the hall and surrounding area. The lower tier of seating is continuous, with 42,000
fixed, and 5,000 temporary seats, all accessed through portals. As part of the post Olympic layout, at the South end zone,
temporary treads and risers are removed and replaced with a family dining or picnic area. The materials used for construction are
durable and require minimal maintenance.

The east canopy roof is a cantilevered truss structure that acts both as a fixed roof covering for the East Side of the stadium
and as a support for the leading edge of the retractable roof in the closed position. The proposed concept for the Beijing Stadium
retractable roof system applies time-tested mechanisms in an innovative sequence of elegant motions to deliver the spectacular
effect of extending cantilevered roof structure over 100 meters from one side of the bowl structure to the other.

The proposed retractable roof system covers an opening over the playing surface of the stadium. This opening is roughly 350
meters long by 105 meters wide at its widest point. The primary moving elements of the retractable roof system are six
operable roof panels and twelve telescoping roof rail trusses.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 6

One of the most unique features of the design is the Sky Terrace. The ability to climb to very top of the roof will provide an
experience to the visitor unlike that of any other stadium on Earth.

A concrete structure is proposed to provide an economical yet durable structure with good earthquake resistance. The
arrangement of the bowl structural grid has been chosen to allow a significant amount of repetition in the design and
construction of the stadium, and the column spacing is generally less than 9.0 m, except in the single bay where the grid
transitions from elliptical to circular. The design will utilize locally available materials and labor.

The roof structure consists of a series of trusses supported by four giant trussed-towers, which in turn support the two primary
trusses. The primary trusses consist of a compact central diamond-truss, strengthened and stiffened by high-strength cables
supported by outriggers. A number of configurations were considered, and the design refined to optimize strength and stiffness.

The cable configuration is efficient, allowing plenty of structural depth, thus limiting axial forces in the members, and utilizing high-
strength cables to minimize weight. Some of the truss cables will be priestesses to increase the effective structural depth
of the system. This configuration also allows economical construction, with the central diamond truss being prefabricated and
shipped to site, and minimal onsite assembly of components. The location of the towers is derived to balance the cantilever and
mid-span moments in the trusses, ensuring optimal use of materials, and the deflections are well within code limits.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 7

This Stadium total would comprise 80,000 permanent seats and 20,000 temporary seats, including one level of 140 suites.
The 20,000 temporary seats are removed it is proposed to install the seats in the outdoor activity center and some special suites,
restaurants, clubs and bars in the locations which are higher up in the stadium.

This technology solved the problem of being able to have a natural grass playing field turf of the highest international quality
for every soccer game, while at the same time being able to host every kind of multi-use event in the same stadium. This
requirement necessitated the complete separation of the field sports uses, from all the other kinds of uses, by having 2 separate
functional surfaces which could be changed very quickly and an infinite number of times, without deterioration of the
performing surfaces. Uses the unique Two Panel Spiral Rotating Shell Retractable Roof Geometry (United States Patent).
The roof can be opened and closed in 35 - 40 minutes in wind speeds of up to 50 Km/hr.

The sun-facing surface(s) of the retractable roof will be covered with rows of the latest type of photovoltaic cells, one of the
largest installations of its kind in the world. The proposed design will be one of the major legacies of the ‘Green Olympics’.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 8

The configuration of the stadium symbolizes great nature on the earth. Against the backdrop of sunshiny sky, soft white
cloud and green hills are the main originality, along with light pillar that penetrates through white cloud creating nice
association. All of these constitute a charming landscape and become a new scene in Beijing tallying with the substance that
coexistence of Olympic Game and nature. In order to coordinate with the environment around the park, as much as vire scence
should be placed in the planned land.

It is such a big stadium that can hold 100 thousand people at the same time. Moreover, 100 thousand people can enter and exit
at the same time. The auditorium is composed of three layers, which have 100 thousand seats, including 80,156 fixed seats
(800mm*500mm) and 20,644 temporary seats (800mm*495mm). We define “c” is the sight distance between the former
row and the after one. The bigger the “c” is, the steeper the auditorium, and the smaller hide from view, so people there can
have a very good vision sight, that there is no hide from view.

Not only can the temporary seats be dismantled after the games, but also they can be expediently changed into sports museum,
sports club etc. Graceful opening and closing mode will show particular charm to the audiences all over the world. Two half-moon
shaped glass roofs will be placed on the center of big roof, which will be opened by the ceiling’s circumgyrating toward each
other and sliding.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 9

The National Stadium should be the one that a surrounding feeling is available when someone stays inside of the stadium, he feels that he is surrounded by the environment outside of the stadium. Vice versa, when he stays outside of the stadium he could also feel such a state of competition with excitement and vigor inside of the stadium. Thus, a well arranged space functioning from each other is created.

The adoption of different resources of energy will secure the natural light collection and the air ventilation as well as a reliable and efficient method for the site management.

The ecological tower with the total height of 200m, is the key point or the pith of the presentation for the principles set up for the design work of the stadium. The four groups of windmill erected on the tower could generate enough power for the use of the tower itself and environmental lighting around.

The roof the gymnasium consists of four parts, namely, top floor roofing, mobile roofing, lower floor roofing both on West and South sides and the North side roofing. The mobile roofing covers the whole gymnasium and is supported by using a rail system with 18m.vertical and horizontal tri-framework. When it is in the closing state, the whole gymnasium is covered, vice versa, the roofing goes over the lower roofing on the North side and is hanged outside.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 10

This proposal is intended to meet these objectives using the symbols of "Heaven" and "Earth". Our roof is not just a cover for the terraces of the stadium, but the celestial vault of the Universe. This vault incorporates five circles that, at the same time, symbolise the five elements on which Chinese philosophy is based, and the five Olympic rings.

The roof of the stadium, 665 m long at its longest dimension, this lightweight, elevated fixed roof is suspended from a structure of 18 steel columns by cables imitating the latest techniques of cable-stayed suspension bridges.
The retractable, translucent material used for the roof covering will filter the natural daylight by around 50%, thus allowing, when used during the day, sufficient natural light to enter the stadium, minimising the need for artificial light.

The two glazed roofs, where they cross, will add to this effect. Of a reasonable size and simple to operate, the retractable roof will not squander resources or energy as it is opened and closed. The exceptional area of the roof will be equipped with solar panels, which will provide it with a substantial proportion of the energy it needs.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 11

The design concept is retrieved from an ancient ritual named "throwing jade into the water", which gives the Stadium rich cultural
connotation and turns the place into a spiritual home of people living in a modern city. The National Stadium will be designed to
put athletes above everything else. In the general layout, warm-up areas for athletes are arranged on the north side of the plot
area, close to the rooms provided for them inside the National Stadium, which will provide a shorter way for athletes and facilitate
their competition.

To meet the multifunctional operation requirements of the National Stadium, some comprehensive development facilities are to be
arranged appropriately on the perimeter of the main building. This will enable complementation of functions between the existing
facilities inside the National Stadium and those to be provided on the perimeter, and provide a variety of options for the
long-term operation of the National Stadium while avoiding possible waste. Reasonable division of ground and underground levels
will enable effective separation of people from vehicles on the perimeter of the National Stadium, to ensure smooth access for
various categories of people without interference with each other.

The Stadium is creatively designed to have a worldwide unique "suspending retractable roof" combining multiple functions of roof,
sightseeing and urban landscape. The arrangement of appropriate operating spaces outside the Stadium will represent additional
functions and new concept of sports building operations.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 12

The Stadium is the Architecture as the eaves, and it protects as many as a hundred thousand people in the periphery from the
rains, cold wind of winter, and hot sunshine of summer. The Stadium is the symbol of the attitude greeting all the people. The
Architecture succeeds the sense of the Quadrangle cosmology. It opens the earth to the universe, and harmonizes the pure form
with the dynamic action of the wings. The wings of the roof, corresponding to four blocks of the stadium, lead up to various modes.
During the Olympics, temporary seats are installed on the wings. At ordinary time, the wings function to stabilize the climate of the
field. When the wings are open, they leave no rails or structures behind the space they occupied.

The light roof and ceiling, having the span of 180m, are made of film materials with aluminum alloy. controlled by air pressure. The
ceiling is constituted of the tubes with two functions. As to the lightning and diffusion, it changes freely as the clouds.

Single sloped stadium, where “all people can watch all people” will be revived by setting four escalators in the stand. As a detail,
waving stand at rostrum and VIP seats might be the first practice in the world. At the top step of the stand, Sky corridor with
movable glass screens for lightning and ventilating is located. Stand escalators lead to the stand style that “many people
come down from the upstairs and take seats.” The Stadium has a bio-dynamic structural system that balances dynamically
by itself corresponding to the changes of the rising roof and ceiling of the clouds.

The double ring (upper ring and lower ring) of Sky corridor and the balance mechanism are the main actors of this system. 180m
span of Gate to the World is realized by a combination of the cable systems. To realize these systems, a structural analysis has
been carried out by simulation technology.

[Christian]

Beijing National Stadium proposal 13 (Winning design)

Current status: Under construction, but currently on hold.
Construction period: 2004 - 2008
Architect 1: Chinese Architecture and Design Research Group
Architect 2: Herzog & de Meuron

Project in general

This is the future Beijing National Stadium and was approved by the city council. The stadium will room as much as 100 000
seats during the olympics in 2008, but will be reduced to 80 000 after the games. The stadium is 330m long by 220m wide and
69.2m tall. The 250 000sqm (groos floor area) stadium is designed with 36km of of unwrapped steel, and got a weight on 45 000
tonn. The stadium will cost as much as 3.5 billion yuan (422 873 850 USD/ 325 395 593 EUR/ 2 721 437 889 NOK). Because of
this cost the has been suspended. The ground was broken in december 2003, and construction started in march 2004, but is now
on hold.

In the new design, which has not yet been relised, the roof of the stadium is supose to be erased from the design. Experts say
this would make the stadium safer and it will reduce the construction costs. The construction of the olympic buildings will step
up again in the beginning to 2005 again, and hopefully continue its construction without any delay before its completed.


More about this project:

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. Fa?ade and structure are identical. The structural elements mutually support each other and converge into a grid-
like formation, in which facades, stairs and 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. 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 sustainable design.

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.

[Christian]

Olympic building busy during Spring Festival
Chinadaily.com.cn - Beijing

Quote

The pace of construction for the 2008 Beijing Olympics has stepped up, with some key projects now running round the clock during the traditional Spring Festival.

Other Olympic venues will also step up construction.

The pace of construction for the 2008 Beijing Olympics has stepped up, with some key projects now running round the clock during the traditional Spring Festival.

The transfer buildings for all international flights during the Olympics will be largely complete by June and workers are busy building roads and a transportation hub at the airport.

The Beijing subway lines 4 and 10 will have their main routes finished by July.

Other Olympic venues, like the main national stadium and the national swimming centre, will also step up construction this year.

This post has been edited by Christian: 17 February 2005 - 10:16 AM

[monsoon]

Those are amazing renderings. Unfortunately of all the ones presented, I liked 13 the least.

[satalac]

that first one kinda looks like a giant vagina. i expect to hear many jokes about that during the olympics. those are really cool buildings though.

[bret15]

Fantastic Views and renderings! but only one can be built, so I think you should start a poll for the best proposal!

[Christian]

bret15, on Mar 13 2005, 12:35 AM, said:

Fantastic Views and renderings! but only one can be built, so I think you should start a poll for the best proposal!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes i should have, but i can't include a poll now, because i can't edit the thread my self. And as you can see i have a huge problem with photobucket, because i have exceeded the bandwidth of this month, so i need to wait one month till the images can be viewed public.

But its always possible to copy the images adress and open it to view it.

[TheFutureIsNow]

What's going on in proposal #11, is it hovering, I can't see any supports or wires?

[Christian]

TheFutureIsNow, on Dec 7 2005, 10:09 PM, said:

What's going on in proposal #11, is it hovering, I can't see any supports or wires?

Thats because its flying!

That thing is the roof of the stadium, and they can make it fly when they pump it full with helium. IN that way they can lift the roof of the stadium without great machines.




Construction update:


Final design of the stadium is the one on that rendering.