Executive Summary The Water Cube

The National Aquatics Centre, also known as the Water Cube, is one of the most dramatic and exciting sporting venues for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. Enclosed within the blue bubble walls are five swimming pools, including a wave machine and rides and a restaurant, along with seating and facilities for 17 000 spectators. The Water Cube is located in the Olympic Green, the focal point for the Beijing Games. The design was voted as the clear winner by the people of China in a competition for their favourite design. The square shape of the Water Cube is a reflection of the Chinese symbol for Earth, while the adjacent circular form of the National Stadium, also design-engineered by Arup, represents Heaven.

The form of the Aquatics Centre was inspired by the natural formation of soap bubbles. Arups engineers realised that a structure based on this unique geometry would be highly repetitive and buildable while appearing organic and random. The result is a very simple regular building form, with very complex geometry in the faade which is used for beautiful effect. The design uses state-of-the-art technology and materials to create a building that is visually striking, energy efficient, and ecologically friendly The highly sustainable structure is clad with translucent ETFE (ethyl tetra fluoro ethylene), a tough, recyclable material that weighs just one percent of an equivalent sized glass panel. The bubble cladding of the Aquatics Centre lets in more light than glass and thoroughly cleans itself with every rain shower. It is also a better insulator than glass, and is much more resistant to the weathering effects of sunlight. Although it appears fragile, the skin and structural form is very robust and is ideally suited to

the seismic conditions found in Beijing. In fact, it is so strong that Arups computer models show that the structure can be placed on its end and still maintain its shape. The Water Cube is specifically designed to act as a greenhouse. This allows high levels of natural daylight into the building and, as swimming pools require a lot of heating, harnesses the power of the sun to passively heat the building and pool water. Arup has estimated that this sustainable concept has the potential to reduce the energy consumption of the leisure pool hall by 30 per cent, equivalent to covering the entire roof in photovoltaic panels. The striking Watercube structure will be energy efficient by maximising natural light and capturing solar energy to heat the interior spaces as well as the pools. Water efficiency will be achieved by rainwater harvesting, recycling, efficient filtration and backwash systems.

WATER CUBE BEIJING - KEY INFORMATION

Client: Beijing State-Owned Assets Management Co: Arup Scope of Work Full multidisciplinary service incl. structural, m&e, building physics & fire engineering Size: 177 x 177 x 31m ; wall cavity is 3.6m deep and the cavity forming the roof is 7.2m deep Gross Floor Area: 70 000m2 Seating: 17 000 seats Project Manager: Three Gorges Corporation Consortium Leader: China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Architect: PTW Architects & China State Construction International; Shenzhen Design Consulting Co; (CSCEC+DESIGN) Opened: Jan 2008

OBJECTIVES

Reducing Beijings dependence on coal and improving energy efficiency and air quality were a priority for the Games organizers. Among the key Olympic commitments set by Beijing, the following were on energy: Construction of a second Shan-Jing gas pipeline with a transport capacity of 4-5 billion m3 per year by 2007; Conversion of coal burning boilers in urban areas, increased use of clean fuels and energy structure readjustment; Extending district heating supply to over 50 per cent of the urban residential area and increasing electricity and geothermal heating coverage to 16 million m2; Clean fuels would be used by 90 per cent of Beijings public buses and 70 per cent of all taxis; The reduction and control of industrial pollution, for example by closing down enterprises deemed to be heavy polluters or high energy consumers, and Relocation, closure or renovation of heavy polluting and energy consuming plants in the Beijing southeast area and Shijingshan district. In order to develop sustainably and meet the citys Games commitments, Beijings energy systems were needed to be diversified. The Beijing authorities stepped up an ambitious programme to reduce coal use and switch to cleaner energy such as natural gas, geothermal energy, and district heating networks, wind energy and other renewable options. Coal-burning boilers had long been a major source of air pollution in Beijing. The Beijing Environment Protection Bureau (EPB) identified two strategies to reduce emissions by coalburning boilers: conversion to clean energy for small-scale plants and the complete technical renovation of larger-scale plants. Small coal-burning boilers (those with an annual consumption of 20 tonnes or less) were switched to cleaner fuels. In the year 2000, 6,829 boilers and 44,000 coal fired furnaces and stoves were converted. More than 15,000 boilers out of a total 16,000 in Beijing were renovated by the end of 2006. Natural gas supply expanded from 1 billion m3 in 2000 to 3.8 billion m3 in 2006. The total length of citys gas pipeline reached 11,000 km and 3.5 million households were connected to natural gas in 2006 compared to 1.3 million in 2000. In addition, the Beijing EPB launched a project to convert to electricity the many coal fired stoves operated by restaurants, businesses and households. As a

result, more than 6,000 restaurants and 11,000 households switched from coal to electricity for heating between 2003 and 2006. In the Historic Old Beijing Protection Area, in Old Hutong, 90,000 households were converted to electric heating by 2008. A total of 288 million Yuan (US $38.37 million) was invested in the project. About 90,000 families benefited from the conversion process by the end of 2008. Beijing implemented measures to ensure that the large scale boilers adopted high efficiency dust removal technologies; controlled dust in coal storage facilities, and installed end-of pipe desulphurization systems to reduce pollution.

IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY

National standards for energy saving buildings were implemented on a mandatory basis for new buildings. Accordingly, the following new techniques and products were adopted in new buildings: heat conservation and insulation techniques for outer walls; new types of energy saving windows and doors, and Combining the supply of heat, power and cooling utilities. Olympic venues showcased these techniques. According to BOCOG, all the venues had energy saving fencing structures with insulation and thermal storage. The National Indoor Stadium, Olympic Village, Media Village, Wukeson Indoor Stadium and Tennis Centre adopted LOW-E double glazing, which lowered energy consumed by air-conditioning and improved thermal comfort for athletes, officials and spectators. Reclaimed water from the Qinghe Sewage Treatment Plant was used to provide cooling and heating for the Olympic Village. Government offices took the lead in energy conservation. In 2005, 54 government departments reduced their consumption by 11 per cent through renovations to existing office buildings and improved energy-saving behaviour by staff. In 2006, 10 government departments were selected for energy saving and technical renovation pilot projects.

Switching to clean energy and improving energy efficiency had a positive effect. Energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP in Beijing decreased gradually to 0.75 TCE (tonnes of coal equivalent) in 2006; 43 per cent less in 2006 than in 2001, an annual decrease of 7 per cent By 2006, solar power was the citys main source of renewable energy. The use of solar heaters in Beijing reached 3.4 million m2 in 2006, an increase of 17.6 per cent from the previous year. The size of solar photovoltaic projects reached 775 kilowatts, generating 1.13 million kilo watt hours of electricity.

Over 120,000 solar powered street lamps (among the highest number in the world) were installed in Beijing, particularly around the Olympic venues. Solar panels were a standard feature in Olympic venues and generated power for lighting and heating. The Beijing authorities also invested in geothermal heating demonstration projects. Between 1999 and 2006, 174 new geothermal wells were constructed, of which 141 provided heating to the city. By the end of 2006, a surface area of 6.6 million m2 had been connected to the municipal geothermal well system. This removed the need to burn an estimated 180,000 tonnes of coal each year, thus reducing annual sulphur dioxide emissions by more than 5,000 tonnes. A 50,000 kilowatt-capacity wind farm at Beijing Guanting, supplies almost 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity to Beijing. According to Greenpeace, clean wind energy accounted for 20 per cent of electricity used in the venues during the Games. Construction of a second wind farm at Guanting is due to be completed by 2010.The Beijing Environment and Sanitation Group and French company, Veolia, cooperated in the construction of Asuwei landfill marsh gas electricity generation project in 2006. The project supplies now electricity to 17,000 households each year.

By the end of 2006, the use of renewable energy amounted to an equivalent of 892,000 tonnes of standard coal. This was a 35.6 per cent increase from 2004. Asuwei can manage 13 million m3 of methane each year to generate 20 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, which has an effect of reducing 100,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The use of solar power equates to 570,000 tonnes of standard coal, accounting for 63.9 per cent of the total renewable energy consumed. Use of geothermal energy equates to 240,000 tonnes of coal, and small hydroelectric power equates to 14,000 tonnes of standard coal.

GREEN LIGHTING PROJECT

To achieve further energy savings, a green lighting project was launched in Beijing in 2004. According to the Beijing Development and Reform Commission, through the program 1.8 million energy efficient lights were in use in Beijing by 2006. Greenpeace cooperated with BOCOG to promote the switch to energy-efficient lights in schools. Over 1.5 million lights were installed in 2,000 primary and secondary schools, and 300,000 lights in government buildings, hotels, restaurants and universities. The Development and Reform Commission estimates that the project now saves 39 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which in turn has the effect of reducing 1,164 tonnes of SO2, 1,700 tonnes of NOx (Nitrogen Oxides), and 38,700 tonnes of CO emissions every year. Use of Creative technology Beijing Olympic stadium makes use of creative new technology that emphasizes on both environmentalism and energy conservation. Chief architect and spokesperson Wu Jingjun for the "Beijing 2008" building operations announced at a press conference, that the main design concept for the Olympic stadium has achieved a breakthrough in resource and water saving, usage of alternative energies and environmentally green construction and building. First off, the steel structure involved in the building of the Olympic stadium meets standards set both within China and internationally. The Olympic stadium, with the pool and sports stadium at its focus, encompasses the design of a massive steel structure weighing in at over 100,000 tonnes. The complicated design posed great difficulties and challenges in technicalities and safety. However, these problems were solved through the creative use of technology, and the success of the building has made immense contributions in the advancement in the field of steel structures. Secondly, water saving, having made an impact with the public, has also become a focus of the stadium, with major building designs focusing on combinative and reducing use of water. According to initial statistics, of the 121 schemes in place, 4 are categorised as highly advanced, with a 117 more making the cut, meeting all standards set in place. Thirdly, the better use of alternative energies is also taken into consideration. As of now, the building makes use of alternative energies in 69 categories, including electricity, lighting and heating, floor heating and ventilation. Fourth, environmental protection is shown in every details of the building design. Initial statistics show that the architecture encompasses 191 schemes for environmental protection, of which 77 are about the protection of the physical environment and biodiversity, including policies for noise control, reforestation, environmental protection and the regulation of airborne vehicles. Water saving and treatment take up 11 slots, 46 for the usage of "green"

construction materials, while other environmentally friendly technologies and products fill 57. Fifth, the design of the building realises the need for energy conservation. Besides the use of alternative and reusable energies, there are 61 schemes supporting advanced air treatment techniques, of which natural ventilation, indoor air treatment; and "green" lighting with 48 schemes, energy saving construction with 38 schemes, and "smart" energy saving techniques with 21 schemes, totalling to 168 in all. Concept of conservation As the Olympic stadium and other facilities sprout up one after another, the city of Beijing increasingly heightens the Olympic atmosphere; a city, melding together age-old cultures and modern fantasies is thus well in the forming. The Chinese have utilized the worlds most advanced technology as well as their own wisdom and capability to create a fleet of worldclass stadiums and sports facilities. This not only allows the athletes to see and feel a taste of the "green" Olympic spirit, it has also set a more than worthy example for future builders in an energy conserving, "green" China. The well protected nest Attracting a global focus is the bird nest?National Stadium. Many hidden dangers were resolved with use of technology during the building of this grand structure. The top of the nest is laden with 1024 pieces of Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) which, stretched within the spaces of the interlocking steel pieces, form thousands of little roofs. This, however, poses a problem in the drainage system when it rains. The solution to this is made up of a network of 120 hidden water tanks, more than 40 pipes and a water treatment system. As the rainwater falls, it is collected in the tanks, and then pumped to a huge drainage column via the pipes, and then into a reservoir, to be used after it is treated. Solar Power Generation The architecture of the National Stadium encompasses a metal interior and exterior walls of glass. The glass surface totals 19000 square metres. Low-e glass was used, as it has insulation and anti-ultraviolet properties, to prevent the personnel inside from being affected by, and allowing matches to go on regardless of the weather. An advanced system for solar power generation is installed along the roof and south wall of the stadium. The network of panels transfers the radiation from the sun to an energy generation room at the basement level, via a dedicated line. The solar energy is converted to electricity, and then transferred again to a low pressure power distribution system. This installation not only serves as protection against the sun and rain, but also to generate electricity as well. Stadium that drinks

The Fengtai Baseball Stadium floors approximately 9000 square metres of natural sand-based bricks. These bricks, which are made with silica sand taken from the Mongolian Desert are, after processing, permeable to water. These bricks do not simply allow water to permeate through pores in the material, but "drink" the water by breaking the surface tension of water and allowing it to diffuse into the spaces through osmosis. The water that permeates and filters through can be collected and reused, or refill groundwater, forming part of a large water cycle. Besides that, the grass fields of the Fengtai baseball stadium are also elevated by 8 millimetres, of rubble, split into 3 layers. The first comprises of large cobblestones, the second of grit, while the third is sand. The grass is grown on the sand. This way, rainwater that lands on the field quickly permeates through the layers into the ground and travels through a series of underground pipes and into rainwater catchment reservoirs. This water, after treatment, joins a pool of treated non-potable water from city and home use. It can now be used for the cleaning and watering purposes. Natural Lighting The Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium, which houses competitions in categories such as taekwondo and judo, has already reached completion of building. The 148 sets of 8 metre long light pipes, besides being the most unique piece of architecture used in the building of the gymnasium, also form the most advanced technological system in use for the Olympic facilities. These light pipes, though ordinary looking, are able to concentrate 80% of sunlight into the interior of the gymnasium, effectively acting as powerful electricity-free light bulbs. Tests have shown that under conditions with good lighting, the light "collected" is enough to support the lighting needs of training and lessons within the gymnasium. This means that little or no lights are needed within grounds on a sunny day, cutting back on a huge amount of energy usage. As the pipes are tightly packed together, this saves on maintenance costs too. Also, the same light pipes that concentrate light inwards during the day also serve to direct light from within the gymnasium outward during the night, through the natural lighting cover, creating a magnificent night view. The Water cube-A mystical membrane The membrane structure used on the outside of the "water cube" is the essence of the National Aquatics Center. It not only is aesthetically pleasing, but it is also the epitome of technological advancement. The Water Cube does not have any traditional windows. Instead, it has over 3000 air pockets that look like massive blue bubbles covering the steel structure. This membrane has transparency and humidity-keeping properties trumping that of glass. The inner lining of the external air membrane and the outer lining of the internal air membrane are plated with materials of different optical density, so as to control the translucency of the membrane and control the amount of heat brought in by sunlight, to

prevent overheating. The light that shines through will create a comfortable surrounding whilst keeping the interior warm, saving up to 30% of energy use. The Water Cube is covered with a membrane, made with a material known as Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). ETFE is a low-friction material which will not allow dust particles to settle easily. Even if dust does settle, it will be easily washed off even by light rain. There is thus no need to clean the Water Cube manually, saving lots of manpower and water. The irregular spaces between the "bubbles" also help to disperse collected water, thus preventing the growth of fungi due to moist conditions. Temperature Lowering "Petals" To combat the problem of overheating at competition venues, the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court has cleverly introduced the concept of natural ventilation, the first in the world. The 12 petal-shaped spectator stands have been designed with natural wind collection facilities, to direct wind from the outside within the grounds, through the interior ventilation system. This effectively lowers the temperature by about 5C. Besides that, the 3 outer walls of the main athletic field are covered with white "netted" boards. These boards serve not just as decoration, but are also luminescent at night. They also hide natural wind collection?facilities. The compressed air, when released, blow in through the louver windows and lower temperature. Just imagine the amount of energy saved on air-conditioning! Curtains that "Breathe" The southern, eastern and western optical windows of the audience hall in the Beijing Shooting Range Hall make use of curtains that "breathe" This is a piece of highly advanced technology that allows for a totally automatic and smart ventilation system. With the breathing curtains, the shooting hall is as though wrapped in a heat preservation membrane, and may make use of the natural wind and temperature conditions on the outside to regulate that on the inside. In summer, the windows between the double curtains will be closed. The Most Advanced Although taking up only 17100 square metres in size, the Beijing University Sports Hall is known to architects as the most technologically advanced Olympic venue. The main and warm-up venues for table tennis, as well as the pool, are controlled by a "smart"; network of controls. All the pressure controls and circuit networks may be tested and controlled from a distance away via remote. The walls of the Beijing University Sports Hall are made with an insulating material, which, when installed at the roof of the pool area, can supply heat to the pool itself. The main hall makes use of natural ground heating to solve the problem of heated flooring. Rainwater Collection The uneven roofing of the Beijing Wukesong Sports Stadium, 17000 square metres in area, is a huge rain collector in its own right. When it rains, the collected rainwater will flow down a

complicated network of plumbing to a pump which transports the water to a rainwater collection pond by the stadium. After treatment, this water may be used to wash cars and such. This system collects 60000 cubic metres of rainwater a year, giving rise to a 29000 cubic metres of treated water. Sun-chaser" Generators It shifts and changes position according to the position of the sun in the sky, constantly changing the angle of the solar cells, so as to maximize sunlight absorption. What is it, you ask? The Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Court sun-chaser?generators. The 11000 watt, fully automated "sun-chasing" solar power generator is 11 metres long and 7 metres wide, and may be controlled from afar. The solar cells can twist and turn as the sun moves, complete with a 270 degree "sun-chasing" mechanism. It is 30% more efficient than normal solar cells, and the most efficient solar powered generator in the world. The generator may work continuously for up to 25 years, generating a whopping 200 kiloWatt-hour of power a day, providing the volleyball courts with 72000 kiloWatt-hour of power a year. At the same time, as it is solar powered, it also cuts down on 23.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 1.5 tonnes of sulphur dioxide emission a year. In an age where all of the Earths resources are tight, and situations worsening before our eyes, environmental conservation has become an unavoidable concern in architecture. Out of consideration for the environment, advancements must be made in our engineering and architecture fields. Material wise, cuts in the use of lead and asbestos are underway, with more durable, lighter, biodegradable materials taking their place. To save water, water restoration techniques have been researched. Solar cells, roofing panels etc. are all a part of a global effort to save on our precious resources.