Spotlight
PTW and the Water Cube
In 2006, the American magazine Popular Science conducted research on 100 original architecture projects around the world to select the world’s best architecture design of the year. Not surprisingly, the capital of China, Beijing, attracted their attention.
The building that attracted the attention of the jury members most was the National Aquatic Center, also known as the Water Cube, and the jury voted it the world’s No. 1 design of the year.
Program Video
Episode 1
The building was the National Aquatic Center, also known as the Water Cube, and the jury voted it the world’s No. 1 design of the year.
Located right opposite the main venue of the Beijing Olympics, known as the “Bird’s Nest,”,the Beijing National Stadium,the Water Cube is made up of 3065 blue air cushions, and from the outside it looks just like a transparent ice cube.
Episode 2
Through discussions, PTW Architects and ARUP - firms experienced in designing Olympic stadiums - and the China State Construction Engineering Corporation - designer of the Manned Spaceflight Experimental Center - found common ground.
After a few rounds of negotiations, in March 2003 China sent delegates to visit the headquarters of PTW Architects.
