Birds Nest
Weds 23rd July, 2008
By Charles Jefferson
Walking from my hotel through the Olympic Green (main Olympic park) to GE's Imagination Center will take 45 minutes each day. The Green is massive! And I am probably only walking half of it! It's hazy, hot and humid. About 90% humidity! Get through the validation check point and am confronted by an image I have seen many times plastered on sponsor communications - the Birds' Nest.
Built by Herzog & de Meuron Architects and ArupSport it has a capacity of 91,000 and cost USD 500,000 - pretty good value when you think what the new wembley cost! It's 330m long by 220m wide and 69.2m tall. It is made out of 36km of unwrapped steel and weights 45,000 tonnes. Its definitely iconic and will probably be the lasting memory from the Games.
But what I love about this build is the attention to detail...
these little beauties light up the pathways that guide people to the Nest.
Rehersals..
As I was walking by the Nest they were obviously rehearsing the Opening Ceremony....
...drummers wait their turn to go into the stadium. From what I heard we're in for a pretty special event...the noise of what must be over 200 kettle drums was pretty fantastic.
Watercube at night
Walking back from the GE Imagination Center and came across the Watercube all lit up. Heard about this venue from talking to the GE Lighting team but didnt know that it flashed different colours at night! Pretty spectacular. BOCOG have got some pretty stunning venues...we've got a lot to live up to in 2012.
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