The London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games opened in July 2011. The Zaha Hadid swimming pool could accommodate 17,500 spectators, who watched competitions and events in disciplines such as swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, and water polo. The roof is clad in aluminum and steel, measuring 160 meters long and 90 meters at its widest point.
Zaha Hadid swimming pool – wavy ceiling
Three main concrete supports carry the 3,000-ton sweeping roof. The double-parabolic structure visually recalls the shape of a wave. Inside, 850,000 tiles cover the pools, changing rooms, and floors. The concrete diving platforms, including the three-meter springboards and towers, were built and poured on site.
Zaha Hadid swimming pool – space for 17,500 spectators
A spectator bridge crosses the 50-meter pool and is supported by a monolithic concrete structure. A repetitive pattern of openings in the ceiling creates skylights that allow daylight to illuminate the space evenly. Blast-furnace slag, a by-product of steel production, was recycled and added as aggregate to reduce the required concrete content by 50%. Excess water from the swimming pool, with a capacity of 10 million liters, is redirected for toilet flushing.
50-meter-long swimming pool
After the Games, the venue's capacity was reduced to 2,500 people. The complex can now be used by schools and clubs. The project cost £269 million. In the spirit of Zaha Hadid's futuristic buildings, the swimming pool looks from the outside like a large alien oyster.
Diving platform design
Voluminous diving platforms
Interesting ceiling design
Well-lit indoor swimming pools
miranda_shida
Peter Dark
Anna Lohan
