Скачать или смотреть THE WATERCUBE, BEIJING, CHINA, 2008, CHRIS BOSSE, Director, LAVA, April 24, 2023

THE WATERCUBE, BEIJING, CHINA, 2008
Digital Cathedrals - man, technology and nature: synergy in the urban environment.

A building wrapped in bubble membranes. Chris Bosse will present a case study into the Watercube swimming centre designed for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. How do geometries in nature create both efficiency and beauty? What can architecture learn from nature in the areas of structure, material and building skin? How are efficient, intelligent and beautiful membranes for interiors and exteriors a solution for the future? Bosse was a key design team member whilst Associate Architect at PTW and conceived the bubble concept. The Watercube associates water as a structural and thematic “leitmotiv”, with the square, the primal shape of the house in Chinese tradition and mythology. The entire structure of the Watercube is based on a unique lightweight construction, developed by PTW and CSCEC with ARUP, and derived from the structure of water in the state of aggregation of foam. Behind the totally randomised appearance hides a strict geometry that can be found in natural systems like crystals, cells and molecular structures. By applying this material and technology the transparency and apparent randomness is transposed into the inner and outer skins of ETFE cushions. Unlike traditional stadium structures with their gigantic columns and beams, cables and back spans, to which a facade system is applied, the architectural space, structure and facade are one and the same element.

INTRODUCTION AND MODERATION
TOM VEREBES, PhD
Professor, NYIT School of Architecture & Design

SPEAKER
CHRIS BOSSE
Director, Laboratory of Visionary Architecture LAVA