Description: I must admit, before we go any further with this journal, that I have an unhealthy obsession with the Water Cube in Beijing - or the National Aquatics Center to give it its proper title. This is absolutely nothing to do with the sporting achievements accomplished there. As impressive as Michael Phelps 8 golds were, I wasn't really that interested in the sporting significance when I visited the Cube. Rather, my obsession stems from the Cube's innovative design and eco-friendly ethos. Even before it was fully completed, I was pestering friends to go and see it with me, and have since visited it on three separate occasions.
Before I delve into my thoughts and impressions of the Water Cube, let me give you a bit of scientific background. The Chinese government were keen for the Beijing Olympics to be seen as a 'Green Olympics' - this was regardless of the fact that, in 2008, China was fast becoming the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases. So, it declared that many of its venues needed to be eco-friendly. The centerpiece of this drive would be the Water Cube. The cube is comprised of hundreds of interlocking panels constructed from ethylene-tetrafluororethylene, a membrane that allows natural to pass through the outer shell and into the building. This helps the Water Cube save energy in two ways. First, as light passes into the building from outside, it saves electricity that would otherwise be used for the lights. Second, the sunlight passing through is absorbed by the pool, which saves electricity that would otherwise be used to keep the pool warm. Additionally, the ETFE bubbles form an uneven surface, which is used to trap rain water than can be used in cleaning and in the bathrooms, though not in the pool.
For a country with such environmental issues, I thought the Water Cube was a fantastic example - even if there is a busy six lane highway outside. However, it is not just the environmental aspect that makes me love it, it is also the style. Even though, the shape is so blunt and dull, the Cube exudes cool thanks to its fantastic color and light. During the day, the blue walls are striking enough. They resemble the shade of the sky on a perfect summer's day - which is kind of ironic as with Beijing's heavy smog few summer days are ever perfect. However, at night, when illuminated from inside, the blue walls create a fantastic incandescent glow that is truly unique. It somehow reminded me of a precious stone shimmering on the end of a chain.
Inside the cube, the light is even more incandescent. The sunlight permeates through the outer membrane and radiates into the pool area, which is also a crisp stunning blue. Even though the walls and many of the stairways were a sharp white, the whole place felt as though we were immersed in blue. Although I was bone dry, the blue light and the atmosphere it created, left me feeling that the whole building - and, not just the pool - was full of water.
Entrance to the Water Cube is 50rmb. It is certainly worth it. The Cube is a fantastic attraction both for its sporting relevance and for its groundbreaking design. It is also very pretty and blue. A cab from the main areas of Beijing, such as Wangfujing or Chaoyang, costs between 25 and 30rmb. You can also get there on the subway for just 2rmb, although you will need to change from most places in the city.
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