LISTING OF LOTUS TEMPLE AND THE WATER CUBE

Keywords : layout , types of materials used , interior and exterior , function of

the building

Thesis Statement : unique features of Lotus Temple and The Water Cube

differ in terms of their layouts, types of materials used to build it, interior and

exterior and function of the building

LOTUS TEMPLE

Layout consists of a main house of worship, the ancillary block which is the

reception centre, the library and administrative building and the restrooms

block

Consist of a basement to accommodate the electrical and & plumbing

components

Materials used : Marble, cement, dolomite, and sand were used in

construction of lotus temple.

Interior of the temple has no religious icons , just copies of the Holy

Scriptures and wooden pews

A bud consisting of 36 petals and light filters through these inner folds and is

diffused throughout the hall.

The central bud is ringed by three sets of nine petals as they appear in a

natural flower

Exterior of the temple has three sets of leaves or petals

First layer comprises of the nine white marble covered petals that point to

heaven

Second layer comprises of nine layers that conceal the portals

Gives the impression of a half open lotus, afloat , surrounded by its leaves

45 lotus petals form the walls and 9 pools surround the building, suggesting

the green leaves of the lotus flower.

Function : a place for many religions to gather and worship their religion

without any restriction to do so.

meant to represent the peacefulness of a flower which is suppose to mean as

though everyone in the temple are peaceful and respective to the others in

this Temple regardless of their religion

Location : Lotus Temple Rd, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Bahapur, New Delhi, DL

110019, India

The Water Cube

Layout : located inside Beijing Olympic Green

Also known as National Aquatics Center

Interior : From the inside, you may discover that the pneumatic cushions of

all sizes are just like sea bubbles.

the interior spaces are carved out of an undefined cluster of foam bubbles,

symbolizing a condition of nature that is transformed into a condition of

culture.

It is blue in order to reflect sunlight.

Materials used: Ethyl tetrofluoroethylene (ETFE) was chosen for the façade.

This material weighs just 1% of glass and is a better thermal insulator.

Around 20% of solar energy is trapped and used for heating

The daylight allowed into the cube saves up to 55% on the lighting energy

required for the leisure pool hall.

Over 22,000 stainless steel members form the sides of these "bubbles",

which are welded at the joints to more than 12,000 spherical steel nodes.

Exterior : a geometry of water bubbles within a square form

During the day, the Water Cube shines as a translucent blue spectacle; while

at night, the glow of its LED bubbles creates a spectacular visual effect.

The internal steel frame is based on the unique geometry of biological cells

or soap bubbles.

Function : The Water Cube hosted the swimming, diving and synchronised

swimming events during the Beijing Summer Olympics 2008.

It also became a adventure park where it consist of numerous water rides , a

wave pool and spa areas

Location : 11 Tianchen East Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing, China

LOTUS TEMPLE AND THE WATER CUBE

Have you ever thought about creating a baseball shaped building or did you

think that it is not possible to create that kind of building? I, too, did not think that

it was possible, but in reality there are some buildings are designed or created

based on an object such as The Lotus Temple in New Delhi, India and The Water

Cube in Beijing, China. There are some brilliant architectures out there who

succeeded in creating such unique buildings that it actually became an attraction

for visitors to visit. This article will be discussing about how the unique features of

Lotus Temple and The Water Cube differ in terms of their layouts, types of

materials used to build it, interior and exterior and function of the building.

First of all, the layout of the buildings. Lotus Temple consists of a main house

of worship, the ancillary block which is the reception center, the library and

administrative building and the restrooms block. It also consists of a basement to

accommodate the electrical and plumbing components. (G.S, 2012) The building

itself was inspired by the lotus flower which is a symbol of being spiritual and

pure and gives the message of immortality.(Thakkar, 2014) The Water Cube also

known as the National Aquatic Centre is actually located inside the Beijing

Olympic Green. It has four floors: one at ground level, two levels above and one

basement. The basement serves as the service area during the Olympics, first

floor is for tourists, second floor is an auditorium and the third floor is strictly for

business.(Beijing National Aquatics Center, 2014) The Water Cube references

Chinese symbolic architecture.

Both of this building also used different materials to build. Simple and easily

found materials such as marble, cement, dolomite and sand were used in the

construction of the Lotus Temple. (Lotus Temple, 2014)The petals are made of

special concrete clad with white marbles.(Lotus Temple, 2014) As for the Water

Cube, ethyl tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) was chosen for the facade. ETFE weighs

just 1% of glass and is a better thermal insulator. Around 20% of solar energy is

trapped and used for heating. The sunlight allowed into the cube saves up to

55% on the lighting energy required for the leisure pool hall. Over 22,000

stainless steel members form the sides of these “bubbles”, which are welded at

the joints to more than 12,000 spherical steel nodes. (Design Build Network,

2014)

Thirdly, the exterior and interior of the building. The Lotus Temple gives the

impression of a half open lotus, afloat, surrounded by its leaves. (Architectural

Blossoming of the Lotus, 2014) 45 lotus forms the walls and nine pools

surrounding the building, acting as the green leaves of the lotus flower. The Lotus

Temple has two layers, the first layer comprise of the nine white marble covered

petals that point to the heaven and the second layer comprises of nine layers that

conceal the portals.(Lotus Temple, 2014) The interior of the temple has a huge

bud consisting of 36 petals and light filters through these inner folds and is

diffused throughout the hall. The central bud is ringed by three sets of nine petals

as they appear in a natural flower. (G.S, 2012) The exterior of the Water Cube is

actually a geometry of water bubbles within a square form. During the day, the

Water Cube shines as a translucent blue spectacle; while at night, the glow of its

LED bubbles creates a spectacular visual effect. From the inside, you can see

that the pneumatic cushions of all sizes are just like sea bubbles. (Beijing

National Aquatics Center, 2014) The interior spaces are carved out of an

undefined cluster of foam bubbles.(Design Build Network, 2014)

Last of all, every building has its own particular function or purpose, whether

it is to provide entertainment or services. Lotus Temple is a place for many

religions to gather and worship their religion without any restriction to do so. It is

also meant to represent the peacefulness of a flower which is suppose to mean

as though everyone in the temple are peaceful and respective to each other in

this temple regardless of religion. (Wikipedia, 2014) On the other hand, the Water

Cube is the venue for swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming during the

Olympic Games. During the post-Olympic Games, the Water Cube will be the

adventure park where it consists of numerous water rides, a wave pool and spa

areas which provide fitness and recreation.

Regardless of how the Lotus Temple and the Water Cube are different in

terms of layout, types of materials used to build it, interior and exterior and

functions of the buildings, I personally think that the architects and other

professions who involved in the construction of these buildings are amazing. It is

not easy to build such distinctive building where it requires so much effort and

time to finish it, but they pulled through and their creation even became

landmarks for their countries.

References

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References

Arup,. (2014). National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) | Arup | A global firm of

consulting engineers, designers, planners and project managers. Arup.com.

Retrieved 28 September 2014, from

http://www.arup.com/Projects/Chinese_National_Aquatics_Center/Details.as

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Beijing National Aquatics Center,. (2014). Beijing National Aquatics Center,

Water Cube.Travelchinaguide.com. Retrieved 28 September 2014, from

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/beijing/water-cube.htm

Design Build Network,. (2014). Water Cube – National Aquatics Centre -

Design Build Network.Designbuild-network.com. Retrieved 28 September

2014, from http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/watercube/

Etherington, R. (2008). Watercube by PTW Architects. Dezeen. Retrieved 28

September 2014, from http://www.dezeen.com/2008/02/06/watercube-by-

chris-bosse/

McManus, D., Lomholt, I., Lomholt, I., & Welch, A. (2010). Watercube Beijing

- National Swimming Centre China - e-architect. e-architect. Retrieved 28

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_National_Aquatics_Center#Architecture