National Aquatics Center

National Aquatics Center is an aquatics center that was built alongside Beijing National Stadium in the Olympic Green for the swimming competitions of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The translucent skin and hexagonal hitech “ pillows” that define this 17,000 seat stadum create the impression of a building fashioned entirely out of bubbles.The structure is based on the premise that bubbles are the most effective way to divide a three-dimensional space-and they help keep the building earthquake proof

Comprising a steel space frame, it is the largest ETFE clad structure in the world with over 100,000 m² of ETFE pillows that are only 0.2 mm (1/125 of an inch) in total thickness.The ETFE cladding allows more light and heat penetration than traditional glass, resulting in a 30% decrease in energy costs

Architects:PTW,the Australian firm that cut its teeth on venues for the 2000 Games in Sydney