The Water Cube, the host venue for many swimming events at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, is being re-designed as an entertainment destination by Toronto-based planning and design firm Forrec. The phase II of the makeover project will be unveiled on July 28, 2010, and the park will be formally opened on August 8, 2010.
From the very beginning, the venue was designed with both sport and recreational use in mind. About one-third of the over 100,000 square feet structure was pre-planned for conversion into a recreational waterpark.
The idea of creating an underwater environment was feasible and practical due to the bubble lattice membranes that offer a ‘watery’ quality to the interior space. Tropical reef forms have been abstracted, enlarged and suspended within the space in an attempt to create the right floating atmosphere. The integration of floating objects such as coral, jellyfish, bubbles and sea grasses, function not only as thematic elements but also serve to punctuate the space with a sense of animation and color, in contrast with the white geometry of the building itself.
Forrec has incorporated light as a major player in enhancing the mood and aesthetic beauty of Happy Magic Watercube. During the day, natural light filters through the building’s outer and inner skin. At night, the outer shell glows with an evening light show.
Forrec has incorporated some top-notch attractions into the waterpark project. The design features the RideHouse play structure, the first of its kind by industry leader ProSlide Technology. This structure will accompany China’s first AquaLoop looping waterslide, by WhiteWater West; a water Tornado; tube slides, body slides; lazy river, wave pool, and other attractions.
The Happy Magic Watercube leisure park is considered as Asia’s largest and most advanced indoor theme water park.
