Thanks for the info. :)

do we know how significantly they altered the original design of the main stadium?

hopefully not too much...

I think he's talking about the Canadian documentary called "China Rises." I saw it expecting to see a lot about about the Olympic preparations too. It showed very little about. It was more about how people are being displaced by China's rapid development. I guess the message of the program is that since there's poor people in China, their economic programs are considerd a failure

Probably the western world is never willing to accept the rising of China. China has lifted 400 million people from poverty over last two decades, this is rather a great achievement rather than a failure.

These stadiums look very impressive thus far. The box design is so overused that it seems like something innovative considering that it hasn't been done for a stadium. I also love the facade of both of the stadiums. 2008 is china's turn to finally show the world what it is all about!

Sort of a digression.

Zhang Yimou, Spielberg to join hands for 2008 Olympic ceremonies
China's best-known film maker Zhang Yimou will join hands with Hollywood director Steven Spielberg in designing the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG) on Sunday unveiled a high-profile crew to produce the most eye-catching cultural events.

Spielberg will serve as an artistic consultant along with Australian Ric Birch, director of the highly successful opening and closing ceremonies at the Sydney Games in 2000, and Yves Pepin, president of French company ECA2.

"I am very honored to be named the chief director of the ceremonies," Zhang said at a ceremony at BOCOG's headquarters.

"It is a huge task...but I promise that I will fulfill the task successfully."

Spielberg, who is on a two-day visit to the Chinese capital, also said he was honored to get involved in the Beijing Olympics.

"Our one goal is to give the world a taste of peace, friendship, cooperation and understanding," he said.

"Through the visual arts, the performing arts, the art of music, the art of dance, the art of celebration of life, all of us are dedicated to making this Olympic opening and closing ceremonies the most emotional everyone has ever seen."

BOCOG launched a global search for schemes for the opening and closing ceremonies in March last year. Out of the 409 proposals received, five were short-listed and BOCOG picked the final team from the directors and producers of the five schemes.

BOCOG president Liu Qi said the opening ceremony was key to the success of the Games.

"The success of a high-level Olympics with distinguishing features depends much on the quality of the opening ceremony," said Liu.

"The 1.3 billion Chinese people are full of aspirations for the Olympic Games, and they have very high expectations for the opening ceremony.

"We hope to leave an excellent impression on the athletes and guests from all over the world and billions of TV viewers by staging a fantastic opening ceremony," he added.

Zhang made his name for the film "Raise the Red Lantern" in 1991.

The opening ceremony of the Beijing Games will take place on August 8, 2008.

Source: Xinhua

Taken on 16th April:

http://static.flickr.com/48/129244551_2cf776a223_b.jpg

Taken on 15th April:

http://static.flickr.com/46/129196062_800f933751_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/47/129194845_78e5914259.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/47/129194325_92f9fe84ec.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/52/129194235_184f0e5ae9.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/44/128917962_61bcce029e.jpg

Watercube:

http://static.flickr.com/54/126814212_7f5d539bec.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/50/126813428_4a624c91c9.jpg

wow....its great ;)



to say the least

looks great~

What are those balls for? is it like a big erector set?

great job, SE9!

What are those balls for? is it like a big erector set?

Xtreme dodgeball!! :D

GGGGGreat! SE9,so handsome!

WOW! SE9, GreaT!

fandabbydosey. love the whole mecchano element going on there its really starting to complete the form that they promised.

SE9 quite fit too!

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/57347570.jpg?v=1&c=MS_GINS&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F4700DB3D06D7B6D9D0D31EC0964607B8C3FE

Steven Spielberg will direct the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 olympics.


Which is nuts...

Once complete, this will definitely become the best ever Olympic venue, until of course London 2012 arrives ;)

the first pic from se9 look like a big jixsaw puzzle

costs are going up because of the sheer amount of construction that is driving up demand and therefore the price of steel and concrete. This is affecting projects the world over. They(China) are using the most of these materials currently, so its kind of a self fullfilling prophecy.

Awesome developments going on here!

even the works lights shining on it make it look magical....just imagine what a corking lighting scheme is gonna do to this masterpeice of brutal metal wonderfullness

The stadium looks great, the pollution however looks terrible, is it any wonder that the world is warming

The stadium looks great, the pollution however looks terrible, is it any wonder that the world is warming
I can't see too much pollution in the pictures. is it from your perception? :weirdo:

Am I the only one underwhelmed by the resulting look? I understand that the 'look' has not been tried before and that from an architect's standpoint, it is a work of art, BUT I don't find it visually appealing or all that innovative from a 'what's next' in functional stadium design standpoint.

On the other hand, I am liking the cube.

wow!

nice place for pigeons to hang out

Yes I heard about that, the far east is practically eating up all the cement & steel from the world, due to the construction. & companies are willing to sell their products at higher prices to them because of the demand. But still, this is the olympics we talking about here, lets not chop and change.

I can't see too much pollution in the pictures. is it from your perception? :weirdo:

i can see some pollution

Gorgeous stadium! I do agree with the pollution comments though, it does look a bit hazy up there...!

yeah baby .. that's my country, go go beijing!!

oh woopee.

There is some polution due to the dust/sand blowing from the Gobi desert around this time of the year.

http://skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/DSC00073_obmtoEDXS9WQ.jpg

http://skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/tiles2_VWkpjmQQcuc7.jpg

http://skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/17499_1140091541_TYAY5HIFK5gB.jpg

Some new-ish images of construction at the Water Cube.

Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52381548@N00/133901022/

Back in Feb
http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1675_lxvC06wHYsFM.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1740_7623xUx5nSvT.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1735_pdyio7XC3OzR.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1729_DU0N2zhDH0iv.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1731_lFlj1prJsN7K.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1736_kXBEqJPl6QIB.jpg

looks interesting....the structure is i think the best thing about it..i'm still in two minds about the cladding though, it all seems too literal.

more back in Feb
http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1678_oMjJmUa1Dylf.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1686_5vQZ3dddANPv.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1693_4HzWGfgadeFp.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1694_GGugLRjBE1dp.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1698_7wtfyV4KPqYd.jpg

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/PICT1699_huwtsZL7aWle.jpg

The cladding for water cube looks so cheap.

The cladding for water cube looks so cheap.
I agree, really disappointed. :sleepy:

The cladding for water cube looks so cheap.

Yer may be, but still creative. When all the cubes are mounted iam sure it will look very impressive, better than any olympic swimming complex we have seen.

I think that it (the cube) will look it's best at night.

Holy Moly.....That Aquatic Center melts me..:drool:

I agree, really disappointed. :sleepy:

The shade of blue is too light, and the bubbles aren't bulging out far enough to have depth imo.

The "cube" looks different with light, very intersting.

I'm sure it will look awesome at night.

http://fotoearth.com/Water Cube/1.jpg
http://fotoearth.com/Water Cube/2.jpg
http://fotoearth.com/Water Cube/3.jpg
http://fotoearth.com/Water Cube/4.jpg
http://fotoearth.com/Water Cube/5.jpg

SPEECHLESS!!!

http://fotoearth.com/Water Cube/1.jpg



this picture looks GREAT! :D:D:D looking forward to a night shot of it when its completed :)

nice

Spielberg has to get his big ego even involved in the Beijing Olympics? That's asinine. Can't the Chinese do the ceremonies themselves? That's what it's all about, not Hollywood!

^^^^ Yeh but you got to remember, Athens put on a pretty good show, so Beijing's got to pull out the big guns to match up to them :)

I'd be much more impressed if the locals put on the show than with Spielberg doing it. That's when you really learn who has culture and who doesn't. The Chinese would have no problem, they have a long civilization and profound culture. As do the Greeks. You go back any further than 2004 though and you start running into problems with that. :eek2:

Actually Zhang Yimou is director of the ceremonies. Spielberg is helping.

So they gonna be loads of dragons & karate guys? & lotsa lotsa fireworks!

This stadium is just awesome, its also complicated. Just connecting all those lines is already hard enough. Anybody know if anything will be on top or below it? Are they putting glass over it?

its air cushions that will go inside the gaps, i think. Hows progress on this stadium?

Beijing 2008: Good Progress, Spectacular Venues



© IOC/RB
18 May 2006

The IOC’s Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad – Beijing 2008, led by its Chairman Hein Verbruggen, today concluded its sixth full visit to Beijing since the Chinese capital was awarded the Olympic Games in 2001. The meetings between the Commission and the Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad – Beijing 2008 (BOCOG), which took place over three days, included a venue tour that allowed the Commission members to get a first-hand look at the development of some of the iconic venues that Beijing is building for the Games The members also heard about the legacy that these venues will provide to the local communities, the city of Beijing and China as a whole, once the Olympic competitions are over. The meetings illustrated that BOCOG has now entered an important period in its journey towards the Games in 2008, as it moves from a planning focus to a more operational and client-focused phase in its lifecycle.

Making Plans A Reality
Speaking at the end of the Coordination Commission’s visit, Chairman Verbruggen said, “We are pleased to see that BOCOG is continuing to make good progress and this progress is obvious, as we see the spectacular Olympic venues taking shape. During the meetings over the past few days, BOCOG has demonstrated that it is making a smooth transition from planning for the Games to actually making those plans a reality. At this crucial stage in the Games preparations, the successful integration of all the entities involved in organising the Games here in Beijing is more important than ever.” He continued, “As the Beijing 2008 project comes to fruition, BOCOG will gain a lot by drawing on international expertise, as previous organising committees have done, and we can see that BOCOG has already started this process through its collaboration in fields such as the environment, the Olympic Torch Relay, ticketing, public relations and ceremonies; and with international organisations, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and individual experts, such as the international consultants for the ceremonies.”

Progress
The Commission was delighted to see the advances that BOCOG has been making since its last visit in November and following BOCOG’s participation in the IOC’s observer programme during the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, with over 200 participants attending from BOCOG. This progress could be seen in many areas including venue construction, with the spectacular National Stadium taking shape; the environment, BOCOG having received ISO 14001 certification; communications; Olympic education, with 20 Olympic model schools founded; media services; and competition organisation, with 40 test events planned to be held before the Games. During its meetings, the Commission looked in particular detail at the operations and services that BOCOG plans to provide to stakeholder groups like the athletes, the National Olympic Committees, spectators, the International Federations, the media and sponsors.

Dress Rehearsal
Looking forward, Verbruggen commented, “BOCOG will soon start to hold important test events, such as the International Softball Federation’s XI Women’s Fast Pitch World Championship and the International Sailing Regatta in Qingdao, at the Olympic venues, with many more to come in 2007. These competitions should be considered as a dress rehearsal for the Games themselves. During the second half of this year, BOCOG will also meet with representatives of the written press and the rights-holding broadcasters, respectively, at the World Press Briefing in September and the World Broadcasters’ Meeting in August. It is during all these events that BOCOG will be able to fine tune its planning and prepare for smooth operations in order to deliver an exceptional experience to all those who will participate at the Games.”

Coordination Commission
The IOC, as the guardian of the Olympic Games, will continue to assist and monitor the work of the Beijing 2008 project through the work of the Coordination Commission. The next time the full Coordination Commission will be in Beijing will be towards the end of 2006, and the Commission will continue to visit the host city on a twice yearly basis until the Games are held in 2008. The Commission’s full meetings in Beijing are supplemented by the regular visits of smaller IOC teams involving the Commission Chairman, selected members of the Commission and members of the IOC administration.

Beijing 2008
The Games of the XXIX Olympiad – Beijing 2008 will take place from 8 to 24 August 2008. The Games in Beijing will play host to the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic programme. Approximately 10,500 athletes are expected to participate in the Games with around 20,000 accredited media bringing the Games to the world.

Source (http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1810)

I cant wait!
Should be brilliant.

Updates

Taken 20th May 2006

Olympic Stadium

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/1186/149768261b1e5a3236db8or.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6056/149768746c6600c154cb9jz.jpg

Taken 14th May 2006

National Gymnasium:

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/650/1461018205c29ec6fefb1jv.jpg

Air cushions? How strange.

Updates

Taken 20th May 2006

Olympic Stadium

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/1186/149768261b1e5a3236db8or.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6056/149768746c6600c154cb9jz.jpg

Taken 14th May 2006

National Gymnasium:

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/650/1461018205c29ec6fefb1jv.jpg

The stadium looks tiny there for some reason

Finaly some pics! thanx SE9, yes it does look a tad bit small.
Hows the water cubicle coming along?

Amazing!

I think it is to most beuatifull rooth construction I have ever seen, goddamn...

Yep its intricate isnt it!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b281/SE9/141360127_b3e2fa1d59.jpg

Finaly some pics! thanx SE9, yes it does look a tad bit small.
Hows the water cubicle coming along?

Funnily enough, the watercube is the most troublesome of the venues to find pictures of. As soon as I get some updated, newer pics, I'll post em here.

Nice... Any Updates? :)

Absolutely amazing, would love some more update. I am going back to Beijing next year. YEY!!! I am tired of the architectures in Cleveland. :runaway:

Watercube is truly amazing and impressive.

We need updates of the stadium!

This olympics are going too be spectacular

amazing.. it's going very fast...

aaaah sum1 has practically the same username as me except the ua and one less 8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

btw stunning building

^^ who u talking about dude

:eek2: awesome

LOL, I wonder what that bubble cladding is made of.. looks like plastic. But yes, I think at night it will look quite good.

I think that the Beijing Olympics will open the eyes of many people.

I was hoping to see some new material, or glass, for the bubble. I'm disappointed with the cheap plastic look of it. I hope when finished, it'll look better.

NIce

I was hoping to see some new material, or glass, for the bubble. I'm disappointed with the cheap plastic look of it. I hope when finished, it'll look better.

man it would have been awesome if they used aerogel, but i think its a bit to expensive right now

LOL, I wonder what that bubble cladding is made of.. looks like plastic. But yes, I think at night it will look quite good.

I think that the Beijing Olympics will open the eyes of many people.


the material is ETFE, a space age plastic that is lightwieght and can cover large spans. this is the same material as in the eden project in cornwall, by nick grimshaw. i think it will look interesting once finished, now we cant really judge how it will eventually look.

ETFE is ethylene tetraflouro ethylene

..

Google updated the area from the Olympic Stadiums.
Also the airport has a update!

Timo

UPDATES PLEASE!!

Great to see the facade going up! But we need to see more!! What is it like now!

WOW!!!!!

Of course everything is on schedule, we are dealing with the very efficient Chinese! And I find that the designs of the stadiums are innovative and spectacular! I'm not the biggest fan of the bird nest design although I think it will probably look way better and will be very impressive when completed! I can't wait to see everything finalized! I will probably be at the 2008 games, so looking forward to seeing it all up close!

Yeah we really need some pics of the stadiums and big tower UC in Beijing!

Stunning Projects!!!Good for ChinaW!!!

It's been 3 weeks since the last batch of photos, any updates?

Great works

awesome update, thanks

Stunning Projects indeed !

From Getty images
20 Jun

http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/4239/chi15uy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/4360/chi24cd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/6060/chi38np.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

awesome pics! :bash:

Ooh my God this stadium rocks!!! OMG!!

uhhh....updates! :scouserd:

Two years to go, and the stadiums are further then they were in Athens 2 months before... ;)

go go go beijing we are looking forward to join u in 2008

Heres a link to an amazing pano from the site.

Its 6469 X 2448 !!

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=168403292&size=o

Stunning!!! Just farkin stunning

http://static.flickr.com/66/168403292_e01813f2ba_o.jpg

Beijing 2008: Good Progress, Spectacular Venues



© IOC/RB
18 May 2006

The IOC’s Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad – Beijing 2008, led by its Chairman Hein Verbruggen, today concluded its sixth full visit to Beijing since the Chinese capital was awarded the Olympic Games in 2001. The meetings between the Commission and the Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad – Beijing 2008 (BOCOG), which took place over three days, included a venue tour that allowed the Commission members to get a first-hand look at the development of some of the iconic venues that Beijing is building for the Games The members also heard about the legacy that these venues will provide to the local communities, the city of Beijing and China as a whole, once the Olympic competitions are over. The meetings illustrated that BOCOG has now entered an important period in its journey towards the Games in 2008, as it moves from a planning focus to a more operational and client-focused phase in its lifecycle.

Making Plans A Reality
Speaking at the end of the Coordination Commission’s visit, Chairman Verbruggen said, “We are pleased to see that BOCOG is continuing to make good progress and this progress is obvious, as we see the spectacular Olympic venues taking shape. During the meetings over the past few days, BOCOG has demonstrated that it is making a smooth transition from planning for the Games to actually making those plans a reality. At this crucial stage in the Games preparations, the successful integration of all the entities involved in organising the Games here in Beijing is more important than ever.” He continued, “As the Beijing 2008 project comes to fruition, BOCOG will gain a lot by drawing on international expertise, as previous organising committees have done, and we can see that BOCOG has already started this process through its collaboration in fields such as the environment, the Olympic Torch Relay, ticketing, public relations and ceremonies; and with international organisations, such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and individual experts, such as the international consultants for the ceremonies.”

Progress
The Commission was delighted to see the advances that BOCOG has been making since its last visit in November and following BOCOG’s participation in the IOC’s observer programme during the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, with over 200 participants attending from BOCOG. This progress could be seen in many areas including venue construction, with the spectacular National Stadium taking shape; the environment, BOCOG having received ISO 14001 certification; communications; Olympic education, with 20 Olympic model schools founded; media services; and competition organisation, with 40 test events planned to be held before the Games. During its meetings, the Commission looked in particular detail at the operations and services that BOCOG plans to provide to stakeholder groups like the athletes, the National Olympic Committees, spectators, the International Federations, the media and sponsors.

Dress Rehearsal
Looking forward, Verbruggen commented, “BOCOG will soon start to hold important test events, such as the International Softball Federation’s XI Women’s Fast Pitch World Championship and the International Sailing Regatta in Qingdao, at the Olympic venues, with many more to come in 2007. These competitions should be considered as a dress rehearsal for the Games themselves. During the second half of this year, BOCOG will also meet with representatives of the written press and the rights-holding broadcasters, respectively, at the World Press Briefing in September and the World Broadcasters’ Meeting in August. It is during all these events that BOCOG will be able to fine tune its planning and prepare for smooth operations in order to deliver an exceptional experience to all those who will participate at the Games.”

Coordination Commission
The IOC, as the guardian of the Olympic Games, will continue to assist and monitor the work of the Beijing 2008 project through the work of the Coordination Commission. The next time the full Coordination Commission will be in Beijing will be towards the end of 2006, and the Commission will continue to visit the host city on a twice yearly basis until the Games are held in 2008. The Commission’s full meetings in Beijing are supplemented by the regular visits of smaller IOC teams involving the Commission Chairman, selected members of the Commission and members of the IOC administration.

Beijing 2008
The Games of the XXIX Olympiad – Beijing 2008 will take place from 8 to 24 August 2008. The Games in Beijing will play host to the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic programme. Approximately 10,500 athletes are expected to participate in the Games with around 20,000 accredited media bringing the Games to the world.

Source (http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1810)

are u an IOC newsletter boy?

http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/4239/chi15uy.jpg
http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/4360/chi24cd.jpg
http://img333.imageshack.us/img333/6060/chi38np.jpg

Heres a link to an amazing pano from the site.

Its 6469 X 2448 !!

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=168403292&size=o


It's not just the stadia, it's the sheer scale of the construction site that's un-frickin-believable. :shocked:

Found another.

http://static.flickr.com/57/167612835_f880207e29.jpg?v=0

Any update on the water cube?

NOO, I just found that some where, thought i'd post it

So they gonna be loads of dragons & karate guys? & lotsa lotsa fireworks!
steven spielberg...so lotsa people flying in the air, lotsa symbolism and drama..expect the odd dragon.

ah no, not drama

such a stunnin stadium

woa

sorry, work of art

Water-cube is very hard to find updates for...

The stadium, July 2006:

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2695/186390247f5fa4eeaffo6bg.jpg

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6795/185550272749c426039o6xf.jpg

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4889/185550585b593357fc07mo.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/21/28378896_fd9e930e9e_o.jpg

fuck its amazing!!

Truly, amazing. This wonder-architecture does not disappoint at all levels...well almost. I would've liked it to be bigger like a 200,000-250,000 all-seater stadium. The amount of steel used in this project is :eek2:. The Chinese surely know how to build the big ones. :D

amazing stadium..i envy the architect

my office is nearby the water-cube,but ,my carmea is not so good.

so ,i won't take a photo...

^^ it's better a poor quality pic than no pic at all :)
2+ years to go :okay:

Simply amazing

wonderfull...

I heard, that all the bricks in the pavements in the Olympic village will be made of sand taken from the desert of China, the water absortion rate of which is 10 times faster than normal bricks. Later, the Chinese government will use these types of bricks to build roads and pavements in all parts of China.

:eek2: the architect/designer must be out of this world. Amazing architectural wonder. An unprecedented bird's nest design. BEAUTIFUL!!!

The design is absolutely ingenius but i am not sure whether the general public will accept it since it is so full of metal and concrete.

amazing design but I bet this stadium wiped out a dozen iron and steel mines just to be able to provide all the beams necessary for its construction.

wonderful.

mmm nice

My favourite new building in the world

These stadiums are awesome!

Here's a computer animation of the Olympic Green Convention Center:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6Ji5Mu85y1k&search=2008%20Beijing%20Olympics

Anyone know where there's a downloadable version? Thanks.

Oh! wow!! nice progress, simply stunning!!

any new updates?

Beijing is gonna blow peoples' minds in 2008! Can't wait! The amazing speed of progress and architectural attention puts Athens 2004 to shame!

Here's a computer animation of the Olympic Green Convention Center:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6Ji5Mu85y1k&search=2008%20Beijing%20Olympics

Anyone know where there's a downloadable version? Thanks.


Youtube's videos are downloadable.
http://javimoya.com/blog/youtube_en.php

The third pic shows National Theater,
a big dome floating on water designed by Franch architect.

Youtube's videos are downloadable.
http://javimoya.com/blog/youtube_en.php

Doesn't work anymore. Youtube patched up their system to prevent downloading using this kind of method.

Beijing is gonna blow peoples' minds in 2008! Can't wait! The amazing speed of progress and architectural attention puts Athens 2004 to shame!

There is nothing to be shamed for Athens. Greece is a nation with population of 10 millions. I would say that Athens did a great job. It will put China to shame if Beijing can not hold a Olympics game much better than Athens.

Doesn't work anymore. Youtube patched up their system to prevent downloading using this kind of method.

You can find the downloaded video files in your system's temporary folder, and copy them from there. However, you need a special player to player these files. I did this to find the video files 2 months ago, I am not sure if it is still the case though coz I haven't tried since.

Truly, amazing. This wonder-architecture does not disappoint at all levels...well almost. I would've liked it to be bigger like a 200,000-250,000 all-seater stadium. The amount of steel used in this project is :eek2:. The Chinese surely know how to build the big ones. :D
Yep it is amazing, regarding the steel, China is main reason of the shortage of steel & concrete in the world, its rapid rate of construction & their willingness to pay any price for it, is just drowning supplys, but hey, at least they building attractive stuff ;)

There is nothing to be shamed for Athens. Greece is a nation with population of 10 millions. I would say that Athens did a great job. It will put China to shame if Beijing can not hold a Olympics game much better than Athens.

I don't thnk you understood what I was saying... The PROGRESS and ARCHITECTURE of Beijing puts Athens' progress and architecture to shame... not the country!

The construction of Athens' Olympic Village was delayed because of worker strikes. The architecture/ design of the buildings were also not as nice as Beijing's.

The photo picture was taken by Chinese forumer, deangels on the second of August, 2006.
http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/133/3/1/O/133310758O661982354.jpg

nice update, thanks!

The stadium looks freaky like that!

Can't wait for the lighting....it sure will be site to see by 2008.

Impressive,
much impressive than what I saw at the beginining animation.

Huh~~. guys, wait till I graduate at the end of this year, I will be back to Beijing and take many pictures about Olympic stadiums and others.
Cheers. :)

What is the seating capacity of the stadium?

^^^ It doesn't look huge from the pictures I saw.
Seems smaller than Beijing Worker's stadium but I'm not sure :) .

What is the seating capacity of the stadium?

91,000.


Here's a link to venue info:

Beijing 2008 Venue Info (http://en.beijing2008.com/46/67/column211716746.shtml)

i saw a documentary about the stadium a few months ago on the discovery channel... its amazing! so is the swimming complex!

i saw a documentary about the stadium a few months ago on the discovery channel... its amazing! so is the swimming complex!

The Aquatic Centre is fantastic... but very hard to find updates for :(

The photo picture was taken by Chinese forumer, deangels on the second of August, 2006.
http://photo-origin.tickle.com/image/133/3/1/O/133310758O661982354.jpg

Hmmm... it looks deceptively small from this viewpoint.

I don't thnk you understood what I was saying... The PROGRESS and ARCHITECTURE of Beijing puts Athens' progress and architecture to shame... not the country!

The construction of Athens' Olympic Village was delayed because of worker strikes. The architecture/ design of the buildings were also not as nice as Beijing's.

I personally hope that London can match and top what Beijing is going to do.

I'd like to stress, these photos below are not mine.


Olympic Stadium

http://static.flickr.com/60/203920177_8a1db728e6_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/67/203920418_b99e966dfc_o.jpg

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/7997/stadiumaugustyl6.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/68/206413680_585fdd2c5d_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/72/203917710_29a9c28bd7_o.jpg


Beijing Olympic Media Centre

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/3186/mediacentreaugustsi5.jpg


Watercube

http://img331.imageshack.us/img331/3804/watersq2.jpg

absolutely stunning!!

^^^OMG
The two giant beauties are standing in front of me already!!!

the inside the stadium pics are awesome

Could someone in Beijing tell me if schoolkids there are taught American or UK style English. Just wondering, as the Beijing Olympic Media Centre is spelt with the UK spelling.

Thanks.

^^
School kids learned British English . But in private schools, most of English teachers are from US. sort of mixed English. :)

Could someone in Beijing tell me if schoolkids there are taught American or UK style English. Just wondering, as the Beijing Olympic Media Centre is spelt with the UK spelling.
I think they teach Chinglish. :)
Seriously, when I learned English in Beijing from 10-19 year old, it is more close to British English, while people tend to prefer American English due to the strong culture influences by movies and music.
After entering college I found teachers teach in a more American way. I don't know it's because the time changed when I entered the college or because the universities are less conservative than the education in high and middle schools.

^^
Right, Chinglish. They all speak English with strong Mandarin accent.

How did Peking get the Olympics?

How did Peking get the Olympics?
You mean how they made the right choice? :D

How did Peking get the Olympics?

Beijing got it from the IOC...by popular vote...like how every other city in the past got theirs....

anyway, nice updates. I DEMAND MORE WATER CUBE!!

well done beijing ,these stadiums are gonna be the most fantastic olympic stadiums ever .when they're finished they will look like giant spaceships on a visit .simply brilliant design.

I know it's only one picture, but I must say that Media Centre looks pretty abysmal.

double post - sorry!

Some people won't be happy with the blocked views from all the support structures. Or will they take them down later on?

Some people won't be happy with the blocked views from all the support structures. Or will they take them down later on?

LOL! That must have been a joke

But if not to clear you up on the matter the supporting structure is there until the roof is completed and then will be removed so there will be no blocked views. This way of construction is used through out the world on most sports stadiums.

by the way amazing pics :runaway:

I have a question...
Where are these pics from? ... cause i don't think you can actually get into the construction site and take pics from the inside... :scouserd:

looking gud, but the water cube pic isnt posted, or its timed out

@SE9
At my time (mid 1990s), kids in Chinese schools aka middle (GCSE) and high school (A-level) mainly learnt British English, or at least the text books were published by Longman Publishing. However, some other study materials would have American English written or spoken.
After getting into universities, more American English was taught, and I think it was partly because that a lot of Chinese students were aiming further education towards American universities, hence AE was/is more popular.

Longman seems to have been merger by an American firm, so things may have changed..

It's amazing to see the lack in workplace safety there. The pic of the stadium stand is covered with exposed rebar with no safety caps or anything. Owell turning out to be such an amazing stadium.

Updated:2006-07-05
http://images.beijing-2008.org/68/84/Img212028468.jpg
The National Stadium under construction

(BEIJING, July 5) -- Construction of major Olympic projects including the National Stadium and National Aquatics Center, as well as the expansion of Beijing Capital International Airport have made smooth progress with timeline and quality guaranteed, officials said on Wednesday.

Steel structures are being installed at the National Stadium, the main stadium of the 2008 Olympic Games. Whilst work on the columns of vertical trusses is completed, installation of main roof trusses is still under way.

Preparation for the closure of main steel structures has been scheduled for the end of July, with an aim to finish all the work on steel structures by the end of the year, said Li Zhengquan, deputy manager of the project, also known as the "Bird's Nest."

Great changes have taken place with the main structure of the National Aquatics Center, or the "Water Cube." The installation of main steel structure is completed and the outline of the steel-made "water molecules" can be recognized. Workers are now busy installing the membrane structure, planning to finish the work by the end of the year.

Construction of Terminal No. 3 of the Capital Airport is in full swing. As important as any Olympic competition venue now under construction, the airport will undertake the arrival and departure of the Games participants in 2008, after its expansion is finished by the end of 2007.

The inauguration of Terminal 3 and the third runway will raise the airport's annual passenger throughput to 60 million from the current 35 million and its annual cargo throughput to 1.8 million tons from the current 780,000 tons.
http://images.beijing-2008.org/69/84/Img212028469.jpg
The National Aquatics Center under construction

http://images.beijing-2008.org/70/84/Img212028470.jpg
Terminal No. 3 of the Beijing Capital International Airport under construction
http://images.beijing-2008.org/71/84/Img212028471.jpg
The passenger hall of the new terminal under construction
http://images.beijing-2008.org/72/84/Img212028472.jpg
The ellipse parking lot of the terminal under construction

http://images.beijing-2008.org/52/60/Img212026052.jpg
The photos taken on June 20, 2006 showed the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium which began to take shape. The stadium, now still under construction, will witness football preliminaries for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
http://images.beijing-2008.org/53/60/Img212026053.jpg

ohno nice updates just one question the last one is going to be a soccer stadium right because is going to be great

^^Nice update!
Awesome!!!

yes, kamilo rxn. It is soccer stadium.
I post the co-host olympic cities for 2008 Olympic Games . Or you click the link.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=382558&page=1

Olympic Cities----Beijing, Qingdao, Hongkong, Shanghai, Shenyang, Qinhuangdao, Tianjin.



Qingdao Co-host City: Sailing

http://en.beijing2008.com/upload/images/sample_3.jpg

Hong Kong Co-host City: Equestrian

http://images.beijing-2008.org/46/71/Img212007146.jpg

Tianjin Co-host City: Football
http://images.beijing-2008.org/48/71/Img212007148.jpg

Shanghai Co-host City: Football

http://images.beijing-2008.org/47/71/Img212007147.jpg

Shenyang Co-host City: Football
http://images.beijing-2008.org/49/71/Img212007149.jpg

Qinhuangdao Co-host City: Football

http://images.beijing-2008.org/50/71/Img212007150.jpg

note : Football actually is soccer.

not the biggest pics but nice

i don't really like the top one, it looks a bit too artsy for me.

http://static.flickr.com/78/205950560_1802cc1256_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/67/206466531_1b5146bb79_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/93/206595403_d2a1bde848_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/63/213248432_8738d9a338_b.jpg

Great updates. This olympics will have by far the most beautifull accomodations in history! Organisations will be perfect too as we know China. Let's just hope pollution will not be to hard during the games, we want our sportsman to come back alive and healthy. ;)

Does the main stadium look abit small? or is it just me? well as long as it looks good, & I was in the jacuzzi the other, & I noticed the bubbles wehn they stuck to one-another, they look just like the water cube! My gf thought I was going crazy when I made the discovery.I wonder if thats where they took the inspiration from for the design.

Does the main stadium look abit small? or is it just me?
Well I have the same feeling.

Are you going simply by looks or the number of people it holds which is 91,000 seats? I know they had to redesign to reduce costs and I believe before it was capable of holding 100k+. Don't know the numbers for previous Olympic venues, but for football stadiums in the US, 91,000 is pretty large.

Xcuse my ignorance but are they going to fill in the gaps at the roof of the Olympic stadium?
if yes, what with?

Whoa!!!! The Water Cube is taking shape now, really exciting :runaway:

http://static.flickr.com/69/211677989_61e30e055e_b.jpg

Yeah, the water cube is going to be amazing!

Great updates SE9.

Excellent updates!

great updates.

It's amazing to see the lack in workplace safety there. The pic of the stadium stand is covered with exposed rebar with no safety caps or anything. Owell turning out to be such an amazing stadium.


The Chinese aren't as clumsy as others...lolz! :jk:

^^ China is still the most populated country in the world right???.............

Great stadiums, London will have it's work cut out to top some of these come 2012.

The Olympic Stadium is the Best designed stadium since the "Munich Olympic Stadium"...Kudos ARUP

The Olympic Stadium is the Best designed stadium since the "Munich Olympic Stadium"...Kudos ARUP

kudos Herzog & de Meuron, they are the brains behind it.

http://static.flickr.com/92/217981174_fdcd2a7636_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/69/211677989_61e30e055e_b.jpg

Some how this remind me of the film called "War of the world":)

http://files.photojerk.com/generalhuo/Beijing/0204F3D3.jfif

Gosh!!! it huge........

http://files.photojerk.com/generalhuo/Beijing/972076.jpe

http://static.flickr.com/69/211677989_61e30e055e_b.jpg

THE STADIUM LOOKS GOOD. THE METAL STRUCTURES GIVE A CONGESTED FEELING THOUGH. IF SOMEONE COULD PIX FROM THE INSIDE IT WOULD CLEAR UP MY PERCEPTION REGARDING THAT SPACE. DETAILS OF THIS STADIUM METAL WORK WOULD BE A BIG HELP

http://static.flickr.com/69/211677989_61e30e055e_b.jpg

THE STADIUM LOOKS GOOD. THE METAL STRUCTURES GIVE A CONGESTED FEELING THOUGH. IF SOMEONE COULD PIX FROM THE INSIDE IT WOULD CLEAR UP MY PERCEPTION REGARDING THAT SPACE. DETAILS OF THIS STADIUM METAL WORK WOULD BE A BIG HELP

Would have liked to see the games in Toronto, but these stadiums are fantastic. The renders look good but I can see it looks better in person.

http://files.photojerk.com/generalhuo/Beijing/0204F3D3.jfif

:eek2:

http://static.flickr.com/83/224269255_1c448af168_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/34/113521089_8fc8f0281b_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/59/202611997_0b7841a112_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/61/203309807_0c44d1d57e_b.jpg

^^ nice update. thanks

No problem.

http://static.flickr.com/70/227611970_f845f8061a_o.jpg

why isnt this stuff being posted in the stadium/arena section???

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=263

anyways nice pics. I love that stadium.

:) No problem.

http://static.flickr.com/70/227611970_f845f8061a_o.jpg

I really like this shot !!

^ Really shows the scale of the project huh :)

http://static.flickr.com/93/232283296_c9742f27fe_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/93/232283348_8f29e82809_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/95/232283408_e9814a9a4e_o.jpg

i love this stadium...

OMG, so sad I'm not a top sportsman. :)

http://static.flickr.com/97/232793711_d62b464ee0_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/93/236894124_261f51f389_b.jpg

Sept. 4th

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/hiddendragon99/Watercube1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/hiddendragon99/Birdnestle1.jpg

wow ...that's progressing really fast!!!
I just love that Aquatics Center! :drool:

WOW thats what I call call unique !!!!!! Awesome architechture, cant wait to see this one finished!!!!!

God, I thought that one of the water cube was a render then for a second. Looks absolutely astounding!!! gota get myself to beijing for the olympics!@!!

Wow!!! Nice progress, impressive design.

It's really a bird nest. Impressive design !

The 'bird nest' looks kinda strange, like a bunch of rubber bands. And the water cube is just unique.....love it!

^^ Looking good and impressive. :okay:

Wow, this stadium is going to be badass!! Cannot wait for it to be completed!

yay the water cubes getting some colour!

very unique buildings, they look really cool

I will probably see some of you guys in Beijing in 2008!

amazing projects!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow!

The icecube stadium looks hidious.

The icecube stadium looks hidious.

I absolutely disagree, I find the Birdsnest Stadium more hideous at the moment. I think the watercube is amazing in it's architecture.

http://images.beijing-2008.org/57/60/Img212046057.jpg
http://images.beijing-2008.org/58/60/Img212046058.jpg
http://images.beijing-2008.org/59/60/Img212046059.jpg

from en.beijing2008.com

More updates on the next page :)

Watercube

http://static.flickr.com/89/244901046_4573ee471a_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/97/244901048_634c3c91ab_o.jpg

The Nest

http://static.flickr.com/92/245402607_713eb1aff2_o.jpg

^^ with the last picture, heck, the air quality should really be addressed immediately...

I'm jsut wondering whats to stop young punks from throwing pointy objects or shooting bb's at the bubbles...

Why dwell on negativity, man? I mean, why can't you simply say both positive and negative comments. That way, you'll be more objective.

Anyway, there are two reasons which I would like to give why the Watercube would wither your situational premise:

1. The Watercube's skin uses a type of material that acts and looks like glass but is far lighter and stronger. I think it shares some properties with plastic.

2. In my honest opinion, punksters in China are not as wild or, shall I say, liberated as those from other countries (this is, of coarse, in the assumption that you're taking possible situational premises with reference to your own opinionated stereotype of a punkster--that they throw pointy objects at buildings and such). I'm not saying that there is absolutely no chance that a bunch of people, possibly punksters, would throw "pointy objects" at the Watercube. I am saying that, due to the type of political society Mainland China is (Communist), the Watercube is more prone at being thrown-at with "pointy objects" if it were in the United States than in China. Of coarse, I am not indirectly stating that you're an American China-basher. I am simply making a comparison of probablities between these two nations.

**********************************************************
I hope I was able to clear up things a bit for you.

Cheers :cheers:

http://static.flickr.com/97/232793711_d62b464ee0_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/93/236894124_261f51f389_b.jpg

Mark my words:
Beijing Stadium might be the 21st Century's Version of the Roman Colloseum - an Icon for Modern China

OMG, I just hope the lighting will do something to this most hideous of constructions. Colliseum my ass! Jeez, it looks like a bungled up mess of iron beams. The watercube is much more prettier & memorable.

^^ Haha, it is just the skeleton so relax. :)

I think i'm falling in love with China and its progress

fantastic updates!

I think i'm falling in love with China and its progress
Thanks for your compliment. Not everyone has a positive view on that.
Anyways, I just found out it seems we can watch free games outside the stadium. :D

beijing 2008 i cant wait :)

must be truly amazing experience to be there during the games

I was in china (beijing etc), last june and from what i can see the air quality seems to have improved. Blue skys are actually visible in two of the photos. My memories r that of the third picture and the grey skys which r usually eviudent. Correct me if iam wrong but has anyone actually noticed this?

^^It really depends on the weather and seasons.
But yes it is truth, the polution is a big concern here. It is sad.

Is there much chance of a change in air quality over the next 2 years?

^^ Haha, it is just the skeleton so relax. :)

Yes, because the gaps of this Stadium Masterpiece will also be filled with ETFE (like the one in the water cube). I think this structure will trully Impress at Night Time :)
Its funny that most of the people will visit China 2008 not just bec. of the Olympics but because of its breath-taking venues!

I'm proud on the infrastructures in Beijing,
and iterate herewith the promises from the Mainland Gov't on improving the environmental quality in Beijing by 2008.

That's why the official slogan is "New Beijing New Olympic",
"New Beijing" already express our will on improvement and development.

very nice updates..

http://static.flickr.com/85/249765097_f3a6289cda_b.jpg

Man, and I once said I didn't like the designs!
The water cube is just gorgeous! And the stadium is so unique too... Maybe I'll come for the olympics, then!

Incredible!!!!!!!!!

I love BOTH.

Water cube is looking, good, in that picture, is the bird fake?

Water cube is looking, good, in that picture, is the bird fake?

it's a kite. Many old people play kite in that area.