A shiny, silver, square building stands next to the "Bird'sNest."

Upon initial glances, people may not connect it to the bubble-wrapped National Aquatics Center, nicknamed the "Water Cube", but after careful investigation, viewers will find that the shapes woven by the steel framework is of water molecules.

This is an architectural building that literally embodies the water theme. The blue "bubbles" made by the ETFE membrane fully showcase the grace and sensitivity of water. The design and construction of the 'Water Cube' steel structure stunned the whole world. The Guardian, a British newspaper, published an article calling it a masterpiece of theoretical physics. The "Water Cube", is one of the iconic structures for the upcoming summer Olympic Games.

The membrane structure cloth' has been the main attraction of the National Aquatics Center ever since its completion. This steel framework was actually the most difficult part of the design and construction of the Olympic facility.

The steel framework of the 'Water Cube’ is totally different from that of any other facility in China. The main feature of the National Aquatics Center's (NAC) steel framework is irregularity. This irregularity presents a pure and natural beauty, but at the same time, gave planners much welding difficulty.

Designers created the steel structure of the "Water Cube” based on the "bubble theory," a

somewhat controversial theory because of its many unsolvable problems. When the designers of the National Aquatics Center decided to practice the bubble theoty, it drew great attention in the international architecture field. Almost all of the architects that have studied the bubble theory have come to visit the venue construction site.

It took only 10 months for workers to build the large-scale, irregular steel structure of the Olympic venue, which is considered a miracle in the history of world architecture. Green architectural wonder The construction of the NAC, orthe "Water Cube," topped off today. The "Water Cube" was built in accordance with a water-saving design concept to be a gigantic green architectural wonder.

The venue's membrane structure, covered by ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) air cushions, is not only the first of its kind in China and the world's largest and most complex ETFE project, but it is also an economical and water-saving creation.

The blue-colored "Hubble-bubble" material is much lighter than conventional glazing structures with the same lighting effect. So the cost of its supporting steel structure was reduced considerably, said Zheng Fang, the top designer of the Chinese-side design company.

In addition, the "Water Cube" was designed with water-saving and environmen-tal protection efforts. According to statistics, the outer surface and roof facade can "collect" 10,000 tons of

rainwater, 70,000 tons of clean water and 60,000 tons of swimming pool water annually. And the venue can also save 140,000 tons of recycled water a year. The classic architecture to last 100 years

How long can the "Water Cube" survive? Zheng Fang, the chief designer for the "Water Cube," gave the following answer --100 years. Can any architectural structure survive one hundred years, subject to bad

weather and other outside forces? Tests have proven that the strength of the membrane structure of the National Aquatic Center can meet these stability requirements, even in bad weather conditions such as hailstones.

According to Fang, a moat was constructed around the "Water Cube" and the interior membrane structure also maintains a certain distance from

the public area. Such a design makes sure that the spectators cannot touch the "bubbles," which greatly reduces the possibility of harm to the structure.

According to the law of biology, birds do not like to stray upon semitransparent things. The only place atop the "Water Cube" that birds might land on is the rainwater collection system. The designers set up metal wires on the collection system particularly to let the

birds rest and make sure they do not step on the "bubbles."

Located on the southern part of the central area of the Olympic Green in Beijing, the NAC has a planned construction area of 6.95 hectares. Being adjacent to the central axis of the city, the NAC.is situated on par with the National Stadium, at an equal distance to the axis.

The NAC's Games-time construction area is close to

80,000 square meters, containing 17,000 standard seats, including 6,000 permanent seats and 11,000 temporary ones. During the 2008 Olympic Games, it will produce 42 gold medals in swimming, diving and synchronized swimming.

After the Olympics, it will be converted into a multifunctional facility for sports, culture and recreation, featuring a "water setting" for members of society

Comfortable humidity with no steam

The Water Cube maintains spring-like warm temperatures with a comfortable level of humidity amid the city's chilly outdoor circumstances. And even in the city's humid August, the venue will be fully dew prevented.

With sustainable development as its design principle, a strict temperature and humid-

ity control system was built with recycled hot water to supply an air-conditioning system in the living area and the swimming pool. In addition, other cooling methods, such as outdoors and indoors airrecycling systems, solar energy and double-deck ventilation devices, successfully maintain comfortable temperatures and stable humidity of between 50 and 60 percent in the venue.

Another potential problem

that might affect swimmers in the pool or divers on the springboard is dew dropping from the rooftop. To solve this problem, the designers started with the thermal requirement of the building shell, retaining a far smaller heat transfer coefficient for the building shell than for the quality glass walls.

The "Water Cube" can breathe?

Eight fans, which discharge the

air naturally, are set on the roof and the body of the "Water Cube." After fresh air enters the building, it can be discharged through the vacuum in the roof. This is how the heating within the building is released.

The "Water Cube" can "wash its face" by itself?

The ETFE membrane is selfcleaning in nature. Since the friction coefficient of the material is small, dust does not easily attach onto the structure. Even if dust does collect on it, as long as it rains, the surface is washed by rainwater.

A beach umbrella for 'Water Cube'

The Beijing Olympic Games are to be held in the summer. Will the strong sunshine make the "Water Cube" a hot "greenhouse bathing room"? How can super high temperatures and bright sunlight be avoided in the transparent Water Cube while maintaining the venue's features and beauty?

The secret lies in the billions of plating points on the ETFE membrane, which control the temperature and lighting of the Water Cube like a beach umbrella. The plating points determine the transparency degree of the membrane to control the amount of heat brought about by the sunrays. The plating points can also change the direction of the sunlight and disperse heat. Like an umbrella, the plating points distribute sunlight, keeping out extra energy' while allowing the required sunshine through to guarantee the temperature and lighting for the venue.