London Aquatics Centre

“Architecture is really about well-being. I think that people want to feel good in a space… On the one hand it’s about shelter, but it’s also about pleasure.”

– Zaha Hadid  

Funga has added the London Aquatics Centre to this month’s architecture section, as it serves as a public pool and whose design was completely influenced by the ways of water. I have been a few times myself and always enjoyed the vastness of it. The building reminds me of the shape of a whale, which is also why I wanted to highlight it.

The building is based on a concept inspired by the fluid geometry of water in motion, creating spaces and a surrounding environment in sympathy with the river landscape of the Olympic Park. An undulating roof sweeps up from the ground as a wave, enclosing the pools of the Centre with its unifying gesture. (see more here)

The Centre, designed by architect Zaha Hadid as one of the main venues of the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2012 Summer Paralympics, was used for swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming events. After significant modification, the London Aquatics Centre opened to the public in March 2014.