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BASKETBALL ARENA - LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS
client: Barr Limited for The Olympic Delivery Authority
location: Stratford, London
Fenton Holloway were appointed to provide structural engineering services for the design of the 11000m² temporary Basketball Arena for the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games following a successful alternative design submission with the design & build contractor, Barr Ltd.
Drawing upon our extensive design experience of tensioned membrane structures, long span steel frames and demountable buildings, we were able to value engineer the scheme whilst maintaining the fundamental elements of the Architectural concept.
The structure consists a series of curved latticed steel roof trusses and tapered 23m tall vertical legs forming a 35m high portal frame spanning 96m which together with the 'lean to' gable end portal frames results in an overall building length of 114m. Valley cables within each of the 6m wide primary roof bays provide the tensioning system for the saw-tooth membrane cladding system.
Façade designs were developed from our initial alternative design proposals in conjunction with the client's Architect (Wilkinson Eyre) and resulted in sets of varying diagonal arch forms creating an apparent random series of barrel vaulted wall panels.
Steel framing design and details were developed to incorporate and integrate the fabric tensioning systems, a high level siphonic perimeter gutter and louvres that provide the passive ventilation system. The internal tiered seating (provided by a specialist under another contract) is structurally separate from the building. However, to create the right conditions for the passive ventilation system a flexible fabric closer was introduced to create a near hermetically sealed internal space.
Drawing upon our unique experience of having provided engineering services from the concept stage right through to preparing detailed designs for manufacturers and fabricators, we were able to successfully deliver a buildable design and provide comprehensive and fully co-ordinated information to both the steel fabricator and membrane manufacturer.
The design was developed to meet the stringent Employer’s Requirements and we successfully managed the comprehensive design reviews by the ODA’s Engineer, an External Review team appointed by the ODA, the 3rd Party checker, and Building Control at each stage in the design process
On completion, the building will provide tiered seating for 12,000 spectators during the Olympic Games and 10,000 for the Paralympic Games for Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby and Handball
After the games, it is planned to dismantle and re-use the building
Follow the construction progress on www.london2012.com/webcams/basketball-arena.php
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