The revised design for London’s Olympic aquatics centre was unveiled this week.

Cost consultancy Sense is managing the building, which is designed by architect Zaha Hadid.

The new design retains the striking wave-shaped roof but the building is smaller. For example, the roof is now 14,000m2, compared to 35,000m2 originally.

Controversy surrounded the original design in December 2005 when Olympics minister Tessa Jowell claimed she had asked Zaha Hadid to change it because it was too expensive.

As before, the centre is to house two 50m swimming pools, a 25m diving pool and 20,000 spectator seats. ODA chief executive David Higgins said:

“The revised design, while just as visionary and exciting, is smaller than the original, reflecting the new constraints of the site, and is now fully integrated with the bridge from Stratford City to the Olympic Park. The aquatics centre will be a magnificent gateway to the Games.”

Source

QS News