Happy Magic Water Cube

Chaoyang, Beijing, China

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Happy Magic Water Cube

Chaoyang, Beijing, China

Firm

Forrec Ltd.

Type

Commercial ›
Hospitality + Sport › Sports Center

YEAR

2010

As the home of swimming and diving events for the 2008 Olympics, the Beijing Water Cube has been recognized as an international icon. When Forrec won the contract to design a water park within the famous structure, it was clear that it would have to be a world-class design solution.We took our cue from the bubble-lattice space frame that forms the building’s outer skin. Light filtering through the double membrane suggests an "underwater" environment, so we extended this to become an underwater tropical lagoon. Large abstracted aquatic elements – colourful air bubbles, sea weed, coral and jelly fish — "float" within the space, creating a dynamic watery atmosphere. At night, theatrical lighting is added, to create a moody underwater fantasy. These abstracted elements are playful enough to create excitement, but still sophisticated enough to complement the geometry of the architecture.The lattice enclosure also presented some major challenges. Where many indoor water parks have slides and towers that extend beyond the structure, the Water Cube’s skin could not be penetrated, so all elements had to be confined within the building envelope, without making them feel cramped or crowded. The solution was to carefully consider all three dimensions of the space — not just the plan — and to combine the attractions and thematic elements into one enormous, interwoven composition.To capitalize on the international interest in the architecture, and to ensure that the Happy Magic Watercube would re-open two years after the opening of the Olympic Games, the schedule was kept extremely tight. Forrec‘s team of creative designers, architects and interior designers designed the park and guided its construction all within 14 months.In 2010, the World Waterpark Association's presented the Happy Magic Watercube with its Industry Innovation Award. The concept – a high-quality themed water park – has expanded to water parks in Beijing and Nanjing and, with the help of Forrec there are plans to further expand the brand throughout China.