Modern Construction Techniques: Beijing National Stadium and Wembley Stadium - Assignment Example

B. Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) (Beijing) and Wembley Stadium (London) Write a report (2000 to 3000 words) comparing the construction technologies used in the pair of buildings you have selected. 1. Introduction The development of technology in all scientific sectors has led to the introduction of a series of changes in all industrial projects; in the area of sports, the use of advanced IT systems offered the chance for the construction of innovative and functional establishments; Beijing National Stadium and Wembley Stadium are indicative examples of such projects. Both of these Stadiums were carefully planned and they were built in order to meet the demands of specific events; The Wembley Stadium in London was constructed in order to host the events of FA Cup Final – a target that was never met. In accordance with the initial deadline, the Wembley Stadium ‘was supposed to be completed by May 2006 for the FA Cup Final (but this was transferred to Cardiff) after consultation with Multiplex about when the stadium would be finished’ (Designbuild - network, 2008, online report). A series of failures in the project’s progress led the project’s contractors to decide the delay of the project’s delivery. The construction of the Stadium – which is cited at North West London (Borough of Brent) – has been monitored – through all its stages by Multiplex Constructions Ltd (contractors) with the aid of Foster & Partners, a firm that dealt with the design of the relevant plans (Designbuild Network, 2008, online article). The whole project cost about 757m pounds and was finally delivered – as noticed above – in March 2007 despite the fact that it was supposed to be ready on March 2006. Wembley Stadium is considered to be one of the most important features of Britain’s sports sector; the Stadium can be compared – as to its structure, functionality and innovation with the Beijing Olympic Stadium (China), a Stadium that was constructed in order to host the Olympic Games of 2008. Beijing Stadium is cited at Beijing (China, Chao Yang District). The design of the Stadium was delegated to ‘Herzog & de Meuron Architekten AG, the Arup and the China Architectural Design and Research Group’ (Arup, East Asia, 2008, online report). The Stadium was completed by June 28, 2008 and its cost has been estimated to $500m – lower than the cost of Wembley Stadium – which however is of higher capacity being able to host 90,000 people – Beijing can host only 80,000 and the additional seats that were placed in the Stadium for the needs of the Olympic Games were removed after the end of the Games. The design of the Stadium is the work of Herzog & de Meuron (Swiss) who have a long experience in complex and demanding projects. It is noticed that ‘until they designed the Birds Nest, Herzog & de Meuron were best known for converting Londons Bankside power station into Tate Modern and for designing the tyre-shaped Allianz Arena in Munich for the 2006 World Cup’ (Rayner, 2008, online report). The Beijing Stadium has a series of innovative features like the high quality of the interior design, the functionality of its facilities but also the features related with the protection of the environment – as analyzed below. Both these Stadiums have contributed to the increase of value of the surrounding regions but also to the increase of the role of the countries involved in the hosting of international athletic events. 2. Design context The design of both stadiums has been customized in order to meet the needs of the regions as well as the cultural and social ethics of the relevant societies; the protection of the environment has been also among the priorities of the designers in both the above stadiums. Other issues like the safety of the athletes and the public and the functionality of spaces have been among the criteria used for the development of the relevant plans. In order to understand the design of both stadiums it would be necessary to refer to the conditions of the particular time period in both regions. The social and political context of each region could be also regarded as having influenced the development of the stadiums. In China, the design of the Beijing Stadium has been delegated – as explained above – in an experienced design team, Jaques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron (the following firms also participated: the Arup and the China Architectural Design and Research Group). The specific architects have set specific parameters for the development of the stadium’s plan. In this context, it is noticed that ‘the stadium is conceived as a large collective vessel, which makes a distinctive and unmistakable impression both when it is seen from a distance and from close up’ (Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning, 2002, proposal no 11). The above description of the stadium is included in the proposal offered by its creators during the contest for the development of the specific plan. The specific plan – which was the 11th proposal submitted for the specific project – has been developed in accordance with the terms set by the designers – no failures were identified during the progress of the construction – at least no major failures were reported – while the cost of the project was kept at rather low levels ($500m) – if compared with the cost of the Wembley Stadium which it was estimated at 750m pounds. The Beijing Stadium had to respond to a series of demands related with the significant event for which it was constructed – i.e. the Olympic Games of 2008. In this context, the number of the stadium’s seat should be as high as possible – in its final form the stadium is able to hold 81,000 people (during the Olympic Games appropriate interventions in the stadium offered the chance to increase the number of people within the stadium to 91,000). The design of the Beijing Stadium was based on specific principles. As it is noticed in the project’s proposal – submitted in 2002 ‘the spatial effect of the stadium is novel and radical and yet simple and of an almost archaic immediacy; the structural elements mutually support each other and converge into a grid-like formation; its appearance is pure structure’ (Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning, 2002, proposal no 11). The external areas of the Beijing Stadium are carefully developed using green areas in order to make the stadium more environmental friendly – but also more friendly to its visitors. Beijing Stadium had to respond to the needs of a specific athletic event: the Olympic Games; therefore, all its spaces should be appropriately customized being able to respond to the needs of visitors but also of the journalists and the governmental officers; specific provisions should be also taken for the politicians/ representatives of foreign states. A series of spaces has been developed within and around the Beijing Stadium in order for the needs of the Olympic Games to be covered. We could indicatively refer to the ‘Sports Center complex, the Ying Tung Natatorium, the circular Olympic Sports Center Stadium, the Water Cube and the Fencing Hall’ (Earth Observatory, 2008, online article). It is at this point that the Beijing Stadium is differentiated from Wembley Stadium; the former has to include a series of features and facilities appropriately customized in order to meet the demands of athletes and the spectators in the Olympic Games while the latter is a Stadium mainly referring to football – including also facilities for athletic events. Two major design firms were involved in the planning of Wembley Stadium: Foster and Partners and HOK Sport. The cost of the specific stadium was estimated to 737m – 750m pounds – a price that is higher from the initially estimated one. The constructor of the Stadium, Multiplex, failed to take the necessary measures in order to ensure the smooth progress of work in the relevant site. The Wembley Stadium was constructed in a region where the previous Wembley Stadium existed; in other words, the Wembley Stadium had to follow – as possible – the historical characteristics of the Wembley Stadium of the past. From a different point of view, the structure of Beijing Stadium offers greater access to the sun; as it can be clearly noticed there are open spaces intervened in the steel beams that surround the pitch area of the stadium. The issue of natural light and its disposal within the stadium has been strongly considered during the development of the Beijing Stadium. Regarding this issue it is noticed by one of the stadium’s architect that ‘its upper surface is clad with ethylene tetra fluoro ethylene (ETFE) panels which let in natural light and its lower surface has an acoustic membrane which reflects and absorbs sound’ (Arup, East Asia, 2008, online report). As for the Wembley Stadium, the structure of the roof (see Figures 5 and 6, Appendix) offers the chance for the Stadium to be covered – in case of bad weather conditions; however the relevant operation is not fully successful – the roof of the Wembley Stadium cannot be totally closed – there is always part of the pitch that remains open. The material used in both the Stadiums are examined in the section that follow. 3. Structural design The innovative methods used throughout the design of Beijing Stadium can be considered to be responsible for the success of the project. In accordance with the Stadium’s description – as it is given by Arup, one of its designers ‘the circular shape of the stadium’s bowl was defined using computer software; the stadium is referred to as the ‘Bird’s Nest’ because of its saddle-shaped steel roof and interwoven façade; the roof measures 330m long by 220m wide and weighs a total of 45,000 tonnes’ (Arup, East Asia, 2008, online report). The height of the Beijing Stadium has been estimated to 69.2m; on the other hand, the strength of the building (referring to events such as earthquakes) is ensured through the use of a huge amount of steel (approximately ‘36km of unwrapped steel length’ (Arup, East Asia, 2008, online report)) have been used for the construction of the Beijing Stadium. The stability and the strength of the building were among the priorities of its creators. On the other hand, the Wembley Stadium ‘was built from 5,000 tons of ferro concrete, 1000 tons of steel, and over half a million rivets’ (Wembley Stadium, official website, history section, 2008). Against stability and strength were the priorities for the construction of the specific building. One of the most important features of the Wembley Stadium is its Arch the height of which has been estimated to 436 feet. On the other hand, the movable roof of the Stadium can be considered as of significant importance offering the chance of isolating the stadium from its external environment in case of bad weather – as explained above. The weight of the roof (see Figure 7, Appendix) has been estimated to 7,000 tons – the use of the arch as a supportive mechanism for the stadium’s roof was therefore unavoidable. The materials used for the construction of Wembley Stadium have been estimated – indicative reference - as follows: ‘Concrete: 212,000 tonnes, Structural Steel: 23,000 tonnes, Steel reinforcement: 15,000 tonnes, Fibre Optic cable: 14 km’ (Wembley Stadium, official website, 2008, online report). Other materials have been also used throughout the specific project. The specific Stadium also offers the facility for wheelchairs – in the areas of spectators; restaurants, bars and kitchens operate in the specific Stadium covering the needs of people in important contests (football/ rugby or athletics) – concerts are also held in the specific Stadium quite often. In terms of their material, both the Stadiums can be therefore characterized as quite significant; in the context also of their structure, their unique characteristics should be emphasized; the Beijing Stadium has been constructed for the needs of the Olympic Games while the Wembley Stadium addresses specific needs – football/ rugby and athletic events – also music concerts. The feature of movable roof – as well as the arch – in the Wembley Stadium cannot be used in order to characterize it as of being more impressive from the Beijing Stadium. Each one serves appropriately the needs of the local population. 4. Environmental design As it is already noticed before, the development of green areas around the Beijing Stadium has been one of the priorities of its designers. As it can be observed in the Stadium’s photos (Figures 1 – 3, Appendix) green spaces are carefully developed around Beijing Stadium giving the impression that the Stadium is in the middle of a forest – in the same way that the bird’s nest is usually placed. On the other hand, Wembley Stadium is cited in a region that is not quite developed in terms of the green areas created. As it can be observed in the photos (Figures 5-7, Appendix) the surrounding of Wembley Stadium is carefully planned but no green areas can be observed. The development of many facilities – restaurants, bars and so on – for the public was considered to have an urban character while in the case of Beijing the rural character of the whole region was kept intact. 5. Summary The construction of Beijing Stadium and the Wembley Stadium can be explained by the fact that ‘with the coming of globalization there has been increased competition among cities internationally to become so-called ‘World Cities’, i.e. centres of high technology, industry, trade…’ (Flowerdew, 2004, 579). Towards the same direction, it should be noticed that the construction of stadiums that are based on the use of advanced technology and material of high quality can be considered as being the result of the increase of urbanization around the world. New social and cultural ethics related with the promotion of sports activities worldwide have been gradually developed; in accordance with these trends sports facilities – especially those used during significant sports events – have to be extremely functional and of high quality. In the case of Britain the specific project could be considered as having all the prospects to be completed on time and within its budget; however, it was in China that this target was achieved; in Britain the lack of appropriate communication between the contractors and the staff has led the project to significant delay. Regarding specifically China and its participation in sports initiatives, it is noticed that ‘sport in China has undergone a comprehensive process of industrialization, commercialization, decentralization and privatization (Wu, 1999); urbanization has changed the infrastructure of sport, sports values and forms of participation’ (Xiong, 2007, 441). On the other hand, the description of both the stadiums can lead to the conclusion that these Stadiums were constructed in order to meet specific requirements – a target that was achieved; however, the failures that were observed during the construction of the Wembley stadium are indicative of the influence of lack of communication on the success of projects – no matter the sector involved. Another important assumption is the fact that the funding of a project is not the most important criterion for its success; more specifically, the cost of Wembley was higher than that of Beijing stadium; however, it was the plan of the latter that was proved quite effective – the time and the cost of delivery were kept within the initial framework and no major failures were identified during its progress. Both the Wembley Stadium and the Beijing Stadium can be characterized as impressive – in terms of their design, the material used and their placement within the specific regions. However, in the case of Wembley Stadium more effective measures could have been taken regarding the supervision of the various phases of the project. References Arup, East Asia (2008) Beijing Stadium, available from http://www.arup.com/eastasia/project.cfm?pageid=2184 Beijing Municipal Commission of Urban Planning (2002) Beijing Stadium, proposal, available from http://www.bjghw.gov.cn/forNationalStadium/indexeng.asp Business Week, 2005, New Wembley Stadium, available from http://images.google.com/images?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&q=Wembley+stadium&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=5&ct=title Designbuild – network (2008) Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom, available from http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/wembley/ Earth Observatory (2008) Beijing National Stadium, available from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=8988 EventTravel, 2008, available from http://www.eventtravel.com/cms/display_seatingplan.aspx?seatingplan_objid=318 Flowerdew, J. (2004) The Discursive Construction of a World-Class City. Discourse & Society, Vol. 15, No. 5, 579-605 Rayner, G. (2008) Beijing Olympics: The Birds Nest stadium. The Telegraph, available from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2518877/Beijing-Olympics-The-Birds-Nest-stadium.html Wembley Stadium, official website (2008), available from http://www.wembleystadium.com/default.aspx Wembley Stadium, 2008, Building Wembley, available from http://www.wembleystadium.com/GloriousPast/greatmemories/stadiumConcerts/stadium+concert+artists.htm Woods, S. (2007) Wembley Stadium kicks off with Mather & Co store. Design Week, available from http://www.designweek.co.uk/liChannelID/11/Articles/134320/Wembley+Stadium+kicks+off+with+Mather++Co+store.html Xiong, H. (2007) The Evolution of Urban Society and Social Changes in Sports Participation At the Grassroots in China. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, Vol. 42, No. 4, 441-471 Appendix Figure 1 – Beijing Stadium - overview (source: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, official website, available from http://en.beijing2008.cn/cptvenues/venues/nst/n214078095.shtml) Figure 2 – Beijing Stadium - exterior (source: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, official website, available from http://en.beijing2008.cn/cptvenues/venues/nst/n214078095.shtml) Figure 3 – Beijing Stadium - surroundings (source: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, official website, available from http://en.beijing2008.cn/cptvenues/venues/nst/n214078095.shtml) Figure 4 – Beijing Stadium – overview (source: Earth Observatory, 2008, available from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=8988) Figure 5 – Wembley Stadium – overview (source: http://www.wembleystadium.com/buildingwembley/photodiary/October2006/default.htm) Figure 6 – The Wembley Stadium – overview (source: http://www.stadiumguide.com/wembleynew.htm) Figure 7 – the Wembley Stadium - overview (Source: Business Week, 2005, available from http://images.google.com/images?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&q=Wembley+stadium&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=5&ct=title Read More