Architecture firm Populous has unveiled the National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the Ice Ribbon, the only new building created for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Boasting a facade formed of 22 giant, illuminated ribbons, the 12,000-seat arena is expected to become a focal point of the games, which start next week. Its 400-metre race track will be the venue for all speed skating events.
The Ice Ribbon will host speed skating events at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
International firm Populous ? whose previous buildings include the London Olympic Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ? based its design on a children's game played in Beijing.
Tiric Chang, principal of Populous China, recalled the game involving high-speed spinning "ice top", which he played with friends in the Shichahai Park ice rink. The facade is wrapped by 22 ribbons that can be illuminated
"The traditional ice game in old Beijing involved a high-speed spinning and leaping ice top that seemed to have infinite energy and possibilities," he said.
"That's what I thought of when reflecting on the characteristics of Olympic speed skating. So, the ice tops became part of the design inspiration injecting a strong Chinese memory into the venue."
The design is based on a spinning ice top
This developed into a design involving 22 huge light strands, which flow around the oval-shaped stadium to create the impression of fast motion.
The shape of these ribbons is based on...