The most original, in terms of architectural solutions, we recognized the central sports arena of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing – the Bird’s Nest Stadium! This is where the opening and closing ceremonies were held. The arena is now the home stadium of the Chinese national soccer team and seats 91,000 spectators!
The multifunctional complex was designed by Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron, who were also behind the Allianz Arena described above. Construction took place from 2003 to 2008 and cost $423 million.
The construction details that make the Bird’s Nest unique are, without a doubt, the interwoven steel beams that enable the stadium to live up to its name. The installation of such a structure is a very complex and high-tech process. First, the architects worked productively on the calculations, and then, the builders, on the installation of multi-ton steel box, consisting of steel beams, each of which is unique in size, shape and weight. On the inside of the frame is wrapped with a film of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, protecting against the weather and equipped with lighting, finally giving the effect of lightness and “airiness” to a multi-ton structure!