Given the astounding expectations piled upon the National Stadium, I’m surprised it hasn’t collapsed under the strain. More than 90,000 spectators will stream through its gates on Friday for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games; billions are expected to watch the fireworks on television. At the center of it all is this dazzling stadium, which is said to embody everything from China’s muscle-flexing nationalism to a newfound cultural sophistication. NYT | Slideshow | Interactive Graphic | prev. 1|2|3
16 Comments
You can just feel that building in your stomach. It is very exciting to look at for so many reasons.
Those are some wicked photos....
And it appears as if the plans for a mall and hotel discussed earlier have already been partially fufilled,
"A vast shopping mall, demanded by the developer who collaborated on the project with the government, is buried beneath the stadium so that it will not disturb the serenity of the surrounding park."
man, I wanna see ONE photo of jaques herzog smiling...
i have never seen that little egg like mini me before. on the first picture. now i get the whole theme.
[img]http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/07Ar4o762B6P3/610x.jpg[ /img]
[img]http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/07Ar4o762B6P3/610x.jpg[ /img]
from bentropy:
aaaaaaaah, much better.
thanks bentropy/dread. irie!
beautiful article, nest is awesome, but how about the huge waste of steel usage on this memorable building? the nesty structure is still sort of skin, and too much $$$ and energy devoting
yeah...like all great works of architecture.
I'm guessing you have a problem with pyramids too?
That mini-me caught my eye too, Orhan!
The building *is* impressive, though I don't much like it; Liebchen is right: it is constantly interesting to look at.
I've not (obviously) been to it in real life, but have been to the 1972 Munich stadium, which was also impressive. It managed to be muscular and graceful, as well as humble. Not an easy accomplishment, and definitely one that remains beautiful. I wonder how the bird's nest will be regarded in 36 years?
i think the mini-me's are light fixtures.
i love the stadium, but the idea of the little nest balls is just too themed for me.
i think its gonna look dated in a couple of years. i like it, though.
Yes, that is an authorized product.
Anyone else find it ironic that the pride of china was designed by two swiss architects, and that the chinese "artistic consultant" finds it as a symbol of national control and greed?
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