London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid
Inspired by 'waves, the water, sea life and sea life creatures,' according to its architect British-based Zaha Hadid, the new Aquatics Centre has just been completed, marking at the same time the official start for the London 2012 Olympic Games 1-year countdown
(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

Fittingly inspired by 'waves, the water, sea life and sea life creatures,' according to its architect British-based Zaha Hadid, the new Aquatics Centre has just been completed, marking at the same time the official start for the London 2012 Olympic Games 1-year countdown.

Situated within the East London Olympic site, near the Park's south entrance, the Aquatics Centre is surrounded by the other main venues, as well as Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond's swiftly rising bright red ArcelorMittal Orbit. 'It is positioned as a gateway and the lifting entrance canopy will invite the visitors in,' explains lead architect Jim Heverin.

Its aerodynamic, aquatic-creature-inspired form is distinct, although as this is a forward-reaching project and firmly rooted to the legacy plan, it will only be revealed in its full glory after the Games. The characteristic timber-clad steel-framed curvaceous roof may be currently sandwiched between two steel extensions of decks and seating in order to accommodate the necessary numbers for the games, but it will cleverly downsize loosing its side additions after the Olympics to form a more sensibly sized, sustainable pool centre for the local community.

A number of regulations and restrictions -- including a site restriction, the Centre being bordered by the river on one side and the rail tracks on the other -- helped dictate the structure's shape both inside and out, although Hadid's design presence is unmistakable. From the building's smooth main material - concrete - to its family of five beautifully curved diving platforms, created out of the same cast on varying heights, the main elements and detailing is contemporary and dynamic.

The ceilings were not left out; quite the contrary. From the main competitive and diving pool hall grey sustainably sourced hardwood rolling roof to the concrete waffle-mesh shaped practice pool ceiling and even the perforated changing rooms one, ceilings seem to have been treated as one of interiors' main design features. Meanwhile the overall building 'achieves the biggest reduction possible in terms of carbon footprint', said Heverin.

Surrounded by the recently completed Olympic Stadium, the velodrome, handball and basketball arenas and the international broadcast centre, the Hadid-designed Aquatics Centre is ready for Olympic business, while also looking firmly ahead to its legacy afterlife. 'The aim was to do a pool for the legacy. It was very important that this project had a long-term, balanced effect,' says Hadid.

View of the Aquatics Centre, with the Polo Arena being developed behind

View of the Aquatics Centre, with the Polo Arena being developed behind

Photography by Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: beautifully curved diving platforms

Inside, from the building's smooth main material - concrete - to its family of five beautifully curved diving platforms, created out of the same cast on varying heights, the main elements and detailing are contemporary and dynamic

(Image credit: TBC)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid

From the main grey sustainably sourced hardwood rolling roof to the concrete waffle-mesh shaped practice pool ceiling and even the perforated changing rooms one, ceilings seem to have been treated as one of interiors' main design features

(Image credit: TBC)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: Anish Kapoor's and Cecil Balmond's swiftly rising ArcelorMittal Orbit

Anish Kapoor's and Cecil Balmond's swiftly rising ArcelorMittal Orbit

Photography by Anthony Carlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid; The Water Polo Arena being developed behind the Aquatics Centre

The Water Polo Arena being developed behind the Aquatics Centre

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: The Basketball Arena in front of the Olympic Village

The Basketball Arena in front of the Olympic Village

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: The Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: The Handball Arena

The Handball Arena

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: The Velodrome with the landscaped parklands in the foreground

The Velodrome with the landscaped parklands in the foreground.

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: ..and BMX track being developed to the rear

..and BMX track being developed to the rear

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: The International Broadcast Centre and Media Press Centre

The International Broadcast Centre and Media Press Centre

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View of Chobham Academy in the Olympic Village

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: The Paralympic Tennis Court, located in the north of the Olympic Park

The Paralympic Tennis Court, located in the north of the Olympic Park

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: Aerial view of the Olympic Village

Aerial view of the Olympic Village

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View of Stratford station

View of Stratford station

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: The newly developed parklands alongside the River Lee

The newly developed parklands alongside the River Lee

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View of the Velodrome looking south, showing the other venues of the Olympic Village

View of the Velodrome looking south, showing the other venues of the Olympic Village

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View of the Olympic Village looking south

View of the Olympic Village looking south

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View of the Olympic Village looking west

View of the Olympic Village looking west

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View of the Aquatics Centre with Water Polo Arena and Olympic Stadium

View of the Aquatics Centre with Water Polo Arena and Olympic Stadium

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View of the Olympic Stadium looking north east over the Olympic Park

View of the Olympic Stadium looking north east over the Olympic Park

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View over the Olympic Park with the International Broadcast Centre and Media Press Centre in the foreground

View over the Olympic Park with the International Broadcast Centre and Media Press Centre in the foreground

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

London 2012 Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid: View over the Olympic Park looking east, showing the parklands alongside the River Lee

View over the Olympic Park looking east, showing the parklands alongside the River Lee

Photography by Anthony Charlton © ODA 2008

(Image credit: Anthony Carlton ©ODA 2008)

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).