Six Greenest Buildings in the Olympic Games

Did you know that this years games are being considered the most sustainable in history? London’s bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympics pledged to be the greenest Olympic Games to date and they are doing just that with green building practices. Sustainable buildings are a specialty in the modular building world and it is always nice to see eco-friendly structures on display. Below are the six greenest buildings in the London Olympics and some of their unique features.

1. London Velodrome- Features natural ventilation instead of air conditioning to improve indoor air quality, rooftop skylights to minimize artificial light and a rainwater harvesting system to reduce water waste.
2. Basketball Arena- A temporary venue that can be dismantled and reused elsewhere. Its lighter design uses less steel and concrete and allows it to be easily relocated.
3. Aquatics Centre- Exterior constructed from precast modular blocks of concrete to reduce the amount of emissions and eliminate the need for painting. Building materials were delivered by train instead of truck reducing carbon emissions.
4. The Copper Box- Built partially out of bricks from construction dust and its exterior panels are derived from recycled copper, making it one of the most sustainable venues. Lighting pipes on the roof decrease electricity costs by 40 percent.
5. Royal Artillery Barracks- Composed of temporary venues built from steel, clad in plywood and covered in phthalate-free PVC membrane. The shooting range will be dismantled and rented for reuse after the Olympic Games.
6. The Energy Centre- Heats, cools and powers the Olympic Zone. This unique modular building can easily add units and expand should a future need arise. Includes energy efficient gas boilers, irrigation system and enough thermal power to heat the swimming pools at the Aquatics Centre.

 
All of the care and consideration that was taken in creating these venues shows that the possibilities are endless in terms of sustainability. The 2012 London Olympics further support the sustainable and green building practices that modular construction has to offer. The Energy Centre is yet another example of how modular buildings are an ideal option for many different industries or venues.