| Architect |
Hopkins
Architects |
| Date
Built |
2011 |
| Location |
Olympic Park,
Stratford, London |
| Description |
|
The London
Olympic Velodrome is described accurately by
its architects as, "an elegant
response to the brief by using simple
materials in an efficient manner to meet
the client's aspirations within the
available budget." They have
delivered a track cycle venue that has been
widely acclaimed by both riders and
spectators and they delivered it ahead of
schedule and on budget. The London
2012 Olympic website says of it that, "The atmosphere created by the
thousands of fans who filled the London
2012 venue was labelled ‘incredible’ by
British rider Geraint Thomas, with the
Velodrome track hailed as ‘really fast’ by
Canadian athlete Tara Whitten and ‘a
wonderful track to ride on’ by Britain’s
Victoria Pendleton." Externally the building actually glows in the sunlight. Clad in Western Red Cedar it has the appearance of an elegant wooden boat perched atop a landscaped berm. Hopkins Architects say that they strove for, "a three-dimensional response to the functional requirements of the venue whose distinctive form has emerged from an integrated design team approach which focused on the performance and efficiency of every aspect of the building."   The velodrome has seating for 6,000 people located in upper and lower blocks divided by a public concourse. This wide walkway not only provides easy access to seating and a speedy route in and out of the building but it is also the location of services for the visitor including food and drink outlets.  Hopkins Architects add that, "The concourse is fully glazed to allow views both into and out of the building. It also helps to visually separate the Western Red Cedar clad upper bowl from the ground floor back of house accommodation which is largely hidden behind the landscaped earth berms that form a visual plinth at the East and West ends of the building."  |
|
|
Olympic
Velodrome, Stratford, London
       |
