An aerial view of the Basketball Arena with construction completed on the venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Image: London 2012
20,000 sqm of PVC cover the Basketball Arena
Venues for the London 2012 Olympic Games have formed an elaborate complex of buildings, some of which are temporary, and others which are permanent. The Games new Basketball Arena falls into the first category, making it one of the largest temporary venues ever used for Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Arena’s steel frame is wrapped in a vast expanse of white PVC membrane, covering three variations of arched panels, giving it the look of creamy white frosting.
The PVC architectural textile was chosen as a lightweight and cost-effective material because it can often be reused or simply recycled. During the Games, the Arena will become the centrepiece of international basketball competition and its exterior wrap will also be used as a canvas for artistic and innovative light performances.
The Arena was one of the quickest venues to finish, a full year ahead of the Games. After the Games, the venue will be dismantled by the contractors, who built and own the temporary elements, with the option of potentially using these elements of the Arena at other UK and overseas events. Two-thirds of its materials and components will be reused or recycled after they are dismantled.
The ODA stated that the decision to build a temporary arena goes some distance in helping the ODA achieve its aim of ensuring that no large structures are left standing after the Games have finished. Interest in the Arena has already been shown by future Olympic hosts such as Rio de Janeiro, site of the 2016 Games.
