Following its birth at the 2012 Olympics, the London Aquatics Centre is now open as a working
centre for the public and is to become host to the Tom Daley Diving Academy and FINA/NVC
World Diving Series.
Created by London architect Zaha Hadid, the beautiful setting of Ellie Simmonds’ dramatic
recordbreaking
Paralympic swim is open for the community to enjoy some of the best
swimming and leisure facilities in the UK. Inspired by the movement of the water itself, this
breathtaking centre represents the fluidity of the water with a huge undulating roof that circles the
entire complex in one complete wave.
Sport fans won’t fail to recognise this iconic building as the nucleus of the London 2012 Olympic
Games with its distinctive curved windows and ceiling. To complete its transformation into a
working leisure centre, improvements have been made to the reception, entrance and changing
facilities to ensure that community users get the most from the Aquatics Centre experience.
The new entrance includes a stunning ‘wave’ reception desk made from Glacier White Corian
and gates with Corian walls. Kevin Hoy from Cutting Edge who fabricated the Corian for the
project says: “The desk was very complex and involved double curvatures with steel plates
embedded into the floor to give it support. It’s also surrounded by ‘bird wing’ retail display units in
Corian ready to display the latest swimming gear. These units were a great challenge to build but
give a great effect that’s really in keeping with the dynamic, seamless look of the entire centre.”
Adjustments to the centre have cost around £300 million and medalwinning
diver Tom Daley
has made it his new training ground since it opened just a month ago. The newly adjusted centre
includes Corian desks with inbuilt
tablet devices for visitors to quickly check in through the
security gates, improved lift access areas and a reduction in seating capacity from 17,500 to
2,500 to transform what was once an aquatic stage for the whole world to witness into a
successful local leisure facility.
Durable and hardwearing, Corian was chosen for this wet environment due to its hygienic
nonporous
nature. With water unable to penetrate this solid surface, the Corian fittings are easy
to care for with bacteria and stains having nowhere to take root. This resilient solid surface is
perfect for a centre that expects to attract thousands of visitors each year for training, coaching
and family fun from as little as £3.50 per session.
CD (UK) Ltd, is the distributors of DuPont™ Corian® in the UK,
