Scheduled for completion in 2008, the Olympic Stadium in Beijing follows the enduring design of Rome's Coliseum, one of the original wonders of the world.  This new design is an attempt to rethink the classic sports-arena layout for more ecologically correct times.

          The Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron (of Tate Modern fame) wanted to provide natural ventilation for the 91,000-seat structure - perhaps the largest "eco-friendly" sports stadium designed to date.  To achieve this, they set out to create a building that could function without a strictly enclosed shell, yet also provide constant shelter for the audience and athletes alike.

          To solve these design problems, they looked to nature for inspiration.  The stadium's outer grid resembles a bird's nest constructed of delicately placed branches and twigs.  Each discrete space within the facility, from restrooms to restaurants, is constructed as an independent unit within the outer lattice.  That makes it possible to encase the entire complex with an open grid that allows for natural air circulation.  The architects have incorporated a layer of translucent membrance to fill any gaps in the lacy exterior.