The eye-catching Water Cube

The National Aquatics Center, more popularly known as the Water Cube, was ready by January, way before the August Olympics. Swimming, synchronized swimming as well as water polo events will take place in the impressive and state-of-the-art 17,000-seat stadium. It will also be the site for diving competitions, from which the Chinese expect a medal haul.

The China National Open Swimming Championships were held from late January to early February, the first test competition for the Water Cube. The Chinese were rightly proud of the latest addition to Beijing's sports arenas. After all, after five years of construction, the Water Cube is one of the biggest swimming stadiums worldwide.

From an architectural perspective, the building really is eye-catching. The design, born of Australian and Chinese cooperation, was inspired by soap-bubbles, as the planners wanted to create an organic outer form for the building. The walls and roofs form cells that, when compared to the elliptical and steel-framed National Stadium, give the Water Cube an air of lightness and softness.

At dusk, the lights can be changed so that the building's surface have as many colors as a kaleidoscope. According to Zheng Fang, chief architect of China Construction Designs International, the Water Cube's surface will reflect the color of the sea. How fitting for the stadium that's dedicated to aquatic sports.

“King of plastics” used for Water Cube

To build the cells that make up the walls and roof of the Water Cube, a special material called ETFE was used. This “king of plastics” was originally developed to provide insulation for airplanes. ETFE is clearer and many times lighter – not to mention, cheaper – than glass.

The Water Cube is the largest structure in the world to use ETFE. (Image: China News Service)The Water Cube is the biggest structure in the world at this time that uses ETFE. The material had earlier been used in Germany for the facade of the Allianz Arena. ETFE is able to maintain its characteristics, such as its transparency and durability, for many decades. The Chinese have said that they would like to have the Water Cube for at least 100 years.

The Water Cube's unusual shape makes it a challenge to clean. While the rain might keep the transparent cells clean on the outside, this is also one reason why they have to be washed on the inside. Which means that once or twice a year, the cleaners have to hang from cables hanging from the roof to make sure the cells are sparkling clean on the inside as well. Zheng says that birds will surely stay away from the Water Cube's transparent roof.

Funded by overseas Chinese

The Water Cube is also unique in that it was built from funds raised by overseas Chinese. The construction costs were over a billion yuan, about 100 million euros. The recently deceased Hong Kong billionaire Henry Fok and his family donated over 15 million euros to the fund.

In Beijing, building the venues for the Olympics has proven to be expensive, but the Chinese have managed to keep within both the budget and the schedule. The Water Cube is located beside the Bird's Nest, as the National Stadium is popularly known. Together, they provide a signature look to the coming Beijing Olympics.