2012 Olympic Aquatic Centre, London, United Kingdom

“Complex” Hadid Aquatics Centre build to commence ahead of schedule

The Olympic Delivery Authority has hit back at “inaccurate and scathing” reports by the BBC that the Zaha Hadid designed Aquatics Centre will be too complex to build in time for the 2012 Olympics by announcing the early commencement of its construction.

In a press release issued the day after the BBC report, the ODA stated:

“The BBC London report on Tuesday 1 July included claims that the roof of the venue, which will provide swimming and diving facilities currently unavailable in London, may be too complicated to be built and that a potential supplier is concerned about the materials being considered for the roof.

“In fact the sweeping roof is an innovative steel structure with a striking and robust aluminium covering. The Zaha Hadid Architects led design team have worked closely with world class engineers Arup and the main contractor Balfour Beatty to finalise the construction plan for the roof, including maintenance access in legacy.

"The team is currently considering different types of timber cladding for the internal ceiling of the venue and the sides of the roof supports. During the games the Aquatics Centre will offer a capacity of 17,500 seats for the main competition pool and diving, and 5,000 seats for the water polo venue. After the games, 2,500 temporary seats will be removed and a ‘leisure water’ facility added turning the Centre into a permanent fixture in the Stratford community.

In 2007 work began to clear the site of existing buildings and clean up the land in preparation for construction. Planning was sought in January of this year and in April Balfour Beatty were awarded the contract to build the Centre.

Evelyn Grace Academy, London, United Kingdom

Fresh from her triumph at the RIBA Stirling Prize, Zaha Hadid has released stunning imagery of the Evelyn Grace Academy - her first completed project in England. The sprawling concrete mass has been designed in collaboration with ARK Schools, an organisation created in 2004 to bridge the academic gap between students living in disadvantaged areas and those with more affluent backgrounds.

Organisation within the school is arranged horizontally, with the 1,200 pupils separated into four sub-schools - Evelyn Middle, Grace Middle, Evelyn Upper and Grace Upper. Students in the two middle schools enter the building via first floor terraces, avoiding any interaction with the upper schools, the students of which access the building using end stair cores. Each middle school is spread over two floors connected internally by a single central stair. An additional first floor terrace also provides access for upper school students.

Each of the four ‘schools within schools' has been given a distinct identity both internally and externally and all have been designed with maximum levels of natural light and ventilation. Many elements of the new academy have been opened to the local community out of school hours; located on the ground floor, these include science labs, common halls and sports facilities such as a dance studio and fitness suite. 

Commenting on the recent completion, Zaha Hadid explained: "It is very significant that our first project in London is the Evelyn Grace Academy. Schools are among the first examples of architecture that everyone experiences and have a profound impact on all children as they grow up. I am delighted that the Evelyn Grace Academy has been so well received by all its students and staff."