Beijing’s Green Olympic Venues

By now, “The Birds’ Nest” and “The Water Cube” are household names to millions of television viewers around the world who have been watching Olympic history being made these last couple of weeks.

What most viewers probably don’t know is that, as athletic records are being smashed and performances of lifetimes being delivered, a little bit of eco history has been more quietly occuring.

The Birds' Nest and Water Cube, both located on the Olympic Green in the northern part of Beijing, are two of seven “green” or eco-friendly buildings constructed especially for the 2008 Olympics. The others are the Beijing National Indoor Stadium (gymnastics, handball, etc.), the Beijing Olympic Green Convention Center (media hub), the Beijing Olympic Village (where athletes eat and sleep), the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium (basketball, duh!), and the Olympic Green Tennis Center (tennis, double duh!).

Indeed, one of China’s strategies six years ago when it put in its Olympic bid was to promise the world a “green Olympics.” This meant that not only did Beijing really have to drastically improve its air quality and infrastructure, but also it had to make sure that its Olympic venues were highly efficient and based on clean technology.

And these venues are pretty amazing!

The Birds' Nest

Let’s look first at the The Birds' Nest. Also known by its official name, the Beijing National Stadium, the Birds' Nest earns its nickname from its basket-y appearance achieved by the weaving of many steel girders. The Birds’ Nest is where the extravagant opening ceremonies were held, where new world records are set daily in the track and field events, and where the Olympic flame burns for the duration of the games. While there is no question that the structure is distinctive visually, it is distinctive ecologically as well as it’s equipped with a rainwater catch system that is (theoretically) devised to supply 70% of the water necessary for its operation. It also boasts a natural ventilation system, roof-top solar panels, and no-flush toilets.

This image courtesy of http://tinyurl.com/59wthq

The Water Cube

The Water Cube is more formally known as the Beijing National Aquatic Center. Shimmering, blue, and futuristic, this famous venue is where Michael Phelps chased down his record eight gold medals, where divers and synchronized swimmers arc gracefully into the water, and where bonneted water polo players battle viciously for points.

The Water Cube is as innovative ecologically as it is in design. Those big “pillows” you can see on the exterior are made of sustainable ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) filled with water. ETFE is a type of recyclable plastic that is very light, but also very strong. Because it is so light, relatively little steel was needed to serve as the building’s framework. In addition, ETFE absorbs solar radiation and reduces thermal loss, and can reduce energy costs by as much as 30% as compared with a similar type of structure made of glass. This is because light penetrates ETFE more easily than it does glass and also has better insulating capabilities.

The Water cube also is equipped with air recycling systems, solar energy devices and a roof that can collect rainwater – up to 10,000 tons per year.