PHOTOGALLERY
Olympic Photos
WEATHER
Beijing: 29°C, Clear Wind: N at 3 km/h Humidity: 62%
VIDEO OF THE DAY
National Stadium- Bird's Nest

Beijing an old city long known for its architectural splendor of past with palaces and temples is ready to express itself as the metropolis of future that could be plucked from a science fiction when it will have its Olympic moment this August. Bird’s Nest, the name National Stadium is more know with will serve as the center of sports and culture when China sees glory this August.

Olympic Stadium

The stadium is located in the Olympic Green and holds a capacity to seat 91,000 people. The Bird’s Nest stretches itself on 21.4 hectares covering an area of 258,000 square meters. Apart from Athletics and Football, National Stadium will hold the opening and closing ceremonies of 2008 Olympic Games.

Olympic Stadium

Bird’s Nest saw its initial ground work in December 2003 and at one time 7,000 workers were toiling the stadium. It is modern marvel built on 24 columns each weighing more than 1,000 tons surrounded by a double layered membrane which gives the Bird’s Nest a soundproof, wind-proof and even UVA protection. The outer layer of membrane is made up of 884 individual ETFE panels and the inner layer is formed of 1, 044 panels of PTFE material. The membrane helps in enhanced lighting and minimizes glare and shadowing favoring a better playing environment.

Olympic Stadium

For Herzog and de Meuron, the Swiss firm which designed Bird’s Nest, the name is an apt description for a creation which is a great geometric crisscrossing of huge steel lines. This intermediary space surrounding the stadium will be transformed into a vast public area containing shops, restaurants and hotels after the Olympics.