The Beijing National Stadium “The Bird’s Nest” 2007.

The Beijing National Stadium was built in 2007 for the 2008 olympics as its main building. It’s design was created by swiss architect Herzog de Meuron and Li Xingang a Chinese architect. The inspiration came from the “idea of a single thread wrapped round a ball” (Beijing National Stadium — the Amazing Bird’s Nest, 2020). The multiple strings wrapped around this ball brought geometrical “randomness and an organic shape” (Beijing National Stadium — the Amazing Bird’s Nest, 2020). Upon further research, I found that many Chinese locals likened it’s shape to a circle. In chinese tradition signifying heaven, unity, oneness and perfection. (Gao, 2020)

The Bird’s nest is 332.3 metres tall and has been dubbed the biggest steel-made structure in the world. 110,000 tons of steel were used in its construction. The reason for this was to ensure the structure was both earthquake resistant and lightweight. (National Stadium, Beijing Bird’s Nest – 2008 Olympic Main Stadium, 2020)

According to research, I learned that the steel used was the “purest ever developed in China” (Beijing National Stadium — the Amazing Bird’s Nest, 2020). Steel has many positive attributes. It is sustainable, recyclable and has a by product (called slag) that can be repurposed in construction.(2020)

The manipulation of steel to create a environmentally conscious, distinctive piece of architecture further shows a prime example of the unique use of a sustainable material.