April 25, 2008

Beijing ‘Bird's Nest’ awaits final touches

BEIJING

Franco Destefanis says he’s installed running tracks in 150 stadiums around the world, and Beijing’s National Stadium— known as the Bird’s Nest — is his fifth straight Olympic track and field venue.

The 91,000-seat stadium may be the architectural jewel of the Beijing Olympics but for the 56-year-old Italian, it’s just another venue.

“The design, the new-style architecture and the size is impressive,” Destefanis said kneeling as he fitted — like a carpet installer — the final few slabs of the rubberized running surface on the floor of the venue.

“The inside part, I don’t know what to say,” Destefanis said. “I just put down the running surface and nothing more. The outside catches your eye, particularly with the lights at night.”

The stadium is the icon of the Beijing Games. Its unusual design is created by twisted steel beams that wrap around the exterior to resemble silver twigs binding a nest together. It’s been called the best work produced by Switzerland-based architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron.

However, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was a consultant on the project, has criticized the stadium. He’s likened it to a “fake smile,” designed to hide social and political problems in China, which hopes to use the Games to show off its new political and economic power.

Of the 37 venues for the Games, this is the last to be completed. There have been minor delays, although Beijing organizers have denied construction problems. They’ve said preparing for the Aug. 8 opening ceremony has required adjustments to building schedules, pushing back completion by a few months.

The stadium is also the venue for track and field and the closing ceremony.

Officials confirmed three months ago that two workers died during construction on the stadium, but denied media reports that at least 10 had died.

The final touches on the US$450-million stadium won’t be complete until next month, although organizers have let journalists in to look around on tours.

The contrast between the outside and inside are striking.

From the outside, the size of the stadium overwhelms everything else, even the neighbouring Water Cube swimming venue. Beijing police have cracked down on cars stopping on the shoulder of a nearby highway to snap photos.

From the inside though, the fancy exterior lattice work is hidden from view. The roof is covered by a canvas-like material, which will keep rain off most fans. It also blocks strong sunlight from casting shadows on the field that could ruin TV pictures.

Associated Press

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