2008
RMJM Architects
Construction began in 2006 on the RMJM-designed building for the 2008
Beijing Olympics. Approx. cost £400m. Coordinated design from the
practice in Hong Kong.
25 July 2008
UK Architects Unveil Largest Ever Olympic Media Facility in Beijing
Completed building images by H.G.Esch
Beijing, 24 July 2008 – The Beijing Olympic Green Convention Centre
(BOGCC), located on the Olympic Boulevard and designed by award winning
international architects, RMJM, enters a new phase tomorrow as the media
facility goes live 24/7 in the run up to the Beijing Olympic Games.
The largest media centre in Olympic history is part of the BOGCC complex
that accommodates both the Main Press Centre (MPC) and International Broadcasting
Centre (IBC). Occupying more than 150,000 square metres, the MPC and IBC
will be home to more than 20,000 accredited journalists, photographers
and broadcasters.
The BOGCC complex will also host the Olympic and Paralympic fencing and
pentathlon pistol shooting events and comprises of two sports halls. The
adjacent hotels in the multi-purpose complex will be used during the Olympics
to accommodate some of the visiting media contingent.
“We are delighted to be in Beijing as the Beijing Organizing Committee’s
(BOCOG) media centre begins 24 hour operations tomorrow and marks the
final phase to the opening of the summer Olympic Games,” said Peter
Morrison, Group Chief Executive Officer of RMJM.
“We are very honoured that RMJM, through our client Beijing North
Star Corporation, is part of the Beijing Olympic legacy and will leave
a lasting footprint on the city. We worked closely with Beijing North
Star to create a multi use complex that will offer long-term financial
sustainability and play a pivotal role in the city’s infrastructure
post Games,” he added.
In line with BOCOG’s “Green Olympics” message, RMJM’s
design includes systems that make use of natural elements together with
a high degree of insulation throughout the building. Green features include
the rain water collection on the roof for flushing systems and the irrigation
of the surrounding landscape, an ice storage cooling system and a “free
air cooling” ventilation system in the public foyers of the convention
centre.
Beijing Olympic Green Convention Centre Plenary Hall Interior
Additionally, the BOGCC has been designed to ensure maximum return on
investment and the highest rate of commercial viability post Games. The
220,000 square metre main structure is scheduled to reopen as the National
Convention Centre of China in 2009.
Beijing Olympic Green Convention Centre Day Visualisation
“Part of the challenge of this assignment was to ensure that the
facility had a distinct and viable ‘second life’ shortly after
the close of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. With this in mind, the
design ensured that the facility could be retrofitted within a relatively
short period of time without huge added expense. Post Games, the complex
will accommodate the Plenary Hall, the Convention & Exhibition Centre
along with offices, retail, service apartments, a 5-Star hotel and a business
hotel,” said RMJM’s Scott Findley, design director, Asia.
Beijing Olympic Green Convention Centre Night Visualisation
“As one of the four principal venues on the Beijing Olympic Green
Boulevard, the structure is understated and timeless, its roof recalling
and celebrating the traditions of its Chinese pagoda. Effortlessly exuding
power and presence, the centre will welcome the people of Beijing and
their guests at 8.08pm on 08/08/2008, the date of the opening ceremony
of the Olympic Games,” Findley said.
BOGCC Night Elevation Render and Inspiration
Unlike many convention centres, the National Convention Centre’s
space has been designed to be highly utilised and a destination in its
own right, with its office space, retail and hotels providing year-round
interest in the area. The design reflects the Beijing government’s
plans for the ongoing regeneration of the north eastern part of the city
of Beijing.
BOGCC Commercial Building - Photos : H.G. Esch
Beijing Convention
Centre architects : RMJM
The BOGCC is RMJM’s largest public sector design project in China
to date and demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to the country.
In celebration, RMJM has also published a not-for-profit book called “Double
8” that embraces all that is edifying about living and working in
China in the opening decade of this millennium. It is an eclectic collection
of 88 innovations and creative ideas, people, projects, challenges and
achievements and highlights much about China that has challenged and influenced
RMJM, from groundbreaking photography, fashion, contemporary literature.
RMJM has almost two decades of professional experience working in China.
Its first project was completed in 1989 for the Holiday Inn in Dalian.
RMJM currently has £4 billion in construction value on its books
in China, with existing projects in 46 cities including Beijing, Shanghai
and Guangzhou. The Edinburgh-based firm has also designed projects in
some second tier cities such as Nanjing, Suzhou and as well as some further
a field in places such as Kashgar in Xinjiang, Lijiang in Yunnan and Baotou
in Inner Mongolia.
Other examples of RMJM’s design work include Huawei Research and
Development Park in Nanjing, China Merchants Bank’s headquarters
tower in Shanghai, Gate to the East in Suzhou, the Eton Centre in Xiamen,
the University Town Library in Shenzhen, as well as residential estates
such as Mont Orchid Riverlet Phase II in Shekou and Evian Town in Suzhou.
RMJM has offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong with approximately 230 professional
staff.
Beijing Olympic Green Convention Centre text / images from RMJM Architects
240708
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