Convertible curling rink to transform Water Cube

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The Water Cube, one of the competition venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has undergone a dramatic transformation into the Ice Cube, and is set to host the curling events for the 2022 Winter Olympics. A convertible rink for curling events is expected to be completed by the end of July, according to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform.

Renovation work for the venue began at the end of last year. In addition to giving the swimming and diving facility capabilities of hosting winter sports, work also involved building an ice sports center to the south for public visitors to try out curling for themselves.

According to the renovation plan, the Water Cube will be upgraded into a curling rink situated the center of the competition area while keeping the swimming pool, and a new ice-making system will help to provide four Olympic-standard curling rinks. The revamped Ice Cube will receive a technology upgrade as well, with a monitor system ensuring that the interior temperature, humidity, and lighting would meet Olympic standards. More spectator seating has also been installed, with 1,470 added to the previous 3,128.

According to progress reports, the curling rinks, locker rooms, and stands are currently undergoing renovations along with the supporting facilities. The Ice Cube will host an international curling competition, which will test its new capabilities for the first time.

The newly added ice sports center contains a standard rink of 1,830 square meters and four Olympic-standard curling rinks. The entrance, in the shape of water droplets, also helps the building’s natural ventilation and lighting that improves the indoor air quality and environment. Furthermore, an underpass will be built to facilitate trips between the ice sports center and the Ice Cube.

The structural construction of the ice sports center is about to kick off, and the building is planned for operation in the second quarter of 2020.

The Ice Cube will feature a smart system regulating the interior temperature and humidity. The temperature of the ice will be kept below minus 8.5 degrees Celsius, while 10 degrees Celsius will be maintained at 1.5 meters above the ice, and the stands will be brought to between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius.

An energy control center will be in place to monitor the energy and water consumption of air-conditioning, heating, elevators, and lighting by leveraging technologies such as IOT, cloud computing, and BIM. This will promote smart management of carbon emissions of buildings, help establish a visualization platform to monitor energy consumption and carbon emissions, and rein in carbon emissions of the new Ice Cube.

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