National Aquatics Center (Water Cube)

　　The National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube," is located in Beijing Olympic Park and served as the main swimming venue for the 2008 Summer Olympics. It is also one of the iconic structures of 2008. Its design emerged from a global competition under the concept of the "Water Cube." It stands on the northern end of Beijing’s central axis, opposite the National Stadium (commonly known as the Bird’s Nest), together forming a relatively complete image of Beijing as a historic and cultural city. The site allocated for the Water Cube covers 62,950 square meters, with a total floor area ranging from 65,000 to 80,000 square meters, including no less than 15,000 square meters underground. Its dimensions are 177m × 177m × 30m. To date, over 940 million RMB have been donated by more than 350,000 compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities across 101 countries and regions. Among them, the father-and-son duo of Cheng Yu-tung and Cheng Ka-wing, along with their affiliated companies, donated 50 million RMB.

　　The National Aquatics Center hosted competitions in swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming, with a seating capacity of 17,000, including 6,000 permanent seats and 11,000 temporary seats added during the Olympics (which were later removed). After the Games, it was developed into a world-class center integrating swimming, sports, fitness, and leisure.

　　It was jointly designed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, an Australian architectural firm, and an Australian company. The design integrates architecture and structural engineering, featuring a novel form and unique structure that complements the National Stadium. It fully meets the functional requirements of the 2008 Olympic events and is easy to operate after the Games.

　　The National Aquatics Center was constructed, managed, and operated by the Beijing State-Owned Assets Management Co., Ltd., and underwent inspection and acceptance by the International Swimming Federation and the International Olympic Committee. Its membrane structure set a world record. Designed based on the arrangement of cells and the natural structure of soap bubbles, this form had never been used in architectural structures before, showcasing truly unique creativity.

　　The walls and roof of the "Water Cube" consist of three layers, both inside and outside. Designers used three-dimensional coordinates to create over 30,000 steel components, none of which share the same position. These technologies are independently innovated scientific achievements in China, filling a gap in the history of world architecture.

　　The Water Cube is located on the western side of Zone B in Olympic Park, facing the National Stadium ‘Bird’s Nest’ across the street. With a construction scale of about 80,000 square meters, its most eye-catching feature is the ETFE membrane (ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer) on the exterior that resembles water bubbles. ETFE is a transparent material that allows more natural light into the venue. Inside is a multi-story building with symmetrically arranged grandstands offering wide views, and the milky-white interior architecture complements the azure blue pools.

　　This seemingly simple “square box” is a creation jointly “built” by traditional Chinese culture and modern technology. Chinese philosophy believes that without rules, there can be no order; by following established principles, harmony and unity can be achieved. In traditional Chinese culture, the design concept of “round sky and square earth” gave rise to the Water Cube, which corresponds with the circular “Bird’s Nest”—the National Stadium—to create a mutually enhancing visual effect.