Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 15, 2003
Ten Design Institutes Prequalified for 2008 Swimming Center
Ten design institutes and consortia have been prequalified to vie for the design of the National Swimming Center _ one of the landmark buildings for the 2008 Olympic Games, the project operator announced on Friday.
Ten design institutes and consortia have been prequalified to vie for the design of the National Swimming Center _ one of the landmark buildings for the 2008 Olympic Games, the project operator announced here on Friday.
A total of 33 design institutes and consortia from 13 countries and regions, including China, Japan, France, Britain, Germany, Australia and the United States, had lodged bids for the project by the deadline of February 20.
The Beijing State-owned Assets Management Co. Ltd., the official operator of the National Swimming Center, told a press conference Friday that the 10 institutes and consortia should submit their designs on June 18.
An evaluation panel consisting of architects, engineers, Olympic experts and government officials will by August 15 choose three designs from them for a final decision. The construction work will start on December 12.
The 10 design institutes and consortia who made the shortlist will be awarded 80,000 US dollars each and owners of the three designs will be given an extra 80,000 US dollars, said the operator.
The National Swimming Center will be located in the western part of the Olympic Green, with a plot area of 70,800 square meters.
With a 17,000-seat capacity, the National Swimming Center will host swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo eventsduring the 2008 Olympics. It will be further developed into a large-scale multi-functional aquatic recreational center after theGames.