London Aquatics Centre

Architect: Zaha Hadid

Built in 2011

Materials: aluminium, steel, concrete

Originally designed by world-renowned, award-winning architect, Zaha Hadid in 2004, London Aquatic Centre’s original concept was that of moving water. It was designed to mirror the riverside landscapes of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

As with all venues built for London 2012, the Centre was designed with legacy in mind. An example of this includes the removable ‘wings’ that brought London Aquatic centre’s spectator capacity up to 17,500 for the Games. These have since been removed in 2014 when the Centre opened to the public.

With the removal of the wings, the Centre still boasts an impressive spectator capacity of up to 2,800, with an additional 1,000 available for major events. Within the centre, it’s not just about the pool, either, with a first-class gym available, making it a fantastic leisure facility for everyone.