The 2012 Olympic Games Aquatics Centre will feature a steel frame roof in order to cut costs, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has told TTJ.
The venue has been designed to feature an S-shaped roof to replicate the flow of water, with glulam laminated beams previously in contention to provide the main structure.
However, a spokesperson for the ODA has confirmed that steel has been selected to form the frame, with timber cladding to be used throughout.
“Innovative building techniques will be used to make the Aquatics Centre as sustainable as possible within budget,” said an ODA spokesperson.
“While the signature sweeping roof will be lined with timber along with the external roof supports, steel was felt to be the best value for money solution for the roof frame.”
Wood for Gold said it was disappointed the ODA had overlooked timber for the roof structure of the Aquatics Centre and that the opportunity had been missed to demonstrate the potential of wood in different applications.
“This is a missed opportunity to demonstrate to the world the exciting role for wood in challenging and ground-breaking design,” said John White, Wood for Gold steering committee member and chief executive of The Timber Trade Federation.
“The wood industry is keen to support the ODA’s stated aim of making the 2012 Olympics the most sustainable Games so far and regrets that it will not have the opportunity to begin with the Aquatics Centre.”
The 17,500-seat arena will play host to a range of events during the games, including synchronised swimming, diving and water polo. After the games it will be transformed into a community facility and elite training arena.
