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London 2012 Olympics

Putting Energy into the Games

Putting Energy into the Games

An artists impression of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium

Ever wonder what the plans for the Olympic Park will be after the Olympics? Well the Athletes’ Village will be transformed into 2,800 new homes, including 1,379 affordable homes benefiting a lot of people.

ODA Construction Kit resources provided:

Find images of all three venues and to locate them on the Olympic Park plan.
Read the Venue information and talk through the following questions: (answers supplied in brackets).

International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre (IBC/MPC)

  • How has the huge concrete roof been made ‘greener’?

(The design includes a 2,500sqm ‘brown roof’ of gravel and moss to encourage invertebrates).

  • How can such a massive building be used after the Games?

(The design will be flexible enough to enable the building to be converted to office space).

Athletes’ Village

  • What is the Village’s use after the Games?

(It will be transformed into 2,800 new homes, including 1,379 affordable homes. The communities that develop in the area after the Games are supported by new parks, open space, transport links, and community facilities).

  • What is provided to make the athletes feel at home?

(The residential apartments have Internet connectivity and are supported by facilities such as shops; restaurants; medical, media and leisure facilities and large areas of open space).

Energy Centre

  • What kind of energy is used?

(This is achieved through a biomass boiler that uses woodchip as fuel to generate heat, and a natural gas powered Combined Cooling, Heat and Power plant (CCHP)).

  • How is the industrial heritage of the area reflected in the design?

(The old mill buildings at Kings Yard were renovated and reused).

Outcome

  • How does each of these venues contribute to the London 2012 Games?
  • Imagine you are part of a design team preparing an initial proposal. You must sketch out a plan of your site which includes both sporting venues and ‘support’ venues. Your proposal must answer these points:
  • Show how you propose to cater for the world’s press.
  • How will you look after the comfort of both Olympic and Paralympic athletes, their support teams and officials?
  • How will you provide energy to the site in the most efficient, most sustainable way?

Extension

Watch the following short film and summarise the importance of designing for the legacy of the Games: ‘Designing for Legacy – architects and designers visit the Olympic Park’.