Beijing National Stadium

Beijing National Stadium

Beijing National Stadium is known as Bird Nest for its external design. In 2001, before Beijing had been awarded the right to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, the city held a bidding process to select the best arena design. Multiple requirements including the ability for post-Olympics use, a retractable roof, and low maintenance costs, were required of each design.

Beijing National Stadium Night View

The entry list was narrowed to thirteen final designs. Of the final thirteen, Li Xinggang of China Architecture Design and Research Group (CADG), said after he placed the model of the "nest" proposal at the exhibition hall and saw the rival entries he thought to himself, "We will win this."
The model was approved by as the top design by a professional panel; however, it was later exhibited for the public. Once again, it was selected as the top design

Beijing National Stadium Olympic Host 

Architect: Herzog & de Meuron
Structural engi: Arup
Full name: Beijing National Stadium
Short name: Bird’s Nest.
Opened: June 28, 2008
Construction cost: US$423 million
Capacity: 91,000
Style: Deconstructivist
Type: Sports venue
Location: Chaoyang, Beijing, China.