Image from http://www.vancouver2010.com

Since many of you have already either been to or seen the new Richmond Olympic Oval, I thought I’d share some highlights of its architecture with you.  Designed by Cannon Design, the Richmond Oval is located on 32 acres of city owned land and it was awarded a LEED certification rating of Silver (Green Building Designation) which is unusual for a building of this size.

During the Olympics it is the venue for speed skating and after the Olympics, it will become a centre for sports & wellness as well as the centrepiece of a new waterfront development featuring both residential and commercial areas.

The design of the Oval was inspired by the elegant Heron, which is also the official symbol for the City of Richmond and a common sight on the banks of the Fraser River in front of the Oval.  The roof’s shape mimics that of the wing of a heron and is made of pine-beetle-kill-wood.  The size of the roof, which is about 100 metres by 200 metres, is one of the largest clear spans in North America.

Here are some pictures of the amazing building!  You gotta see it for yourself though!

Image from http://www.vancouver2010.com

Image from http://www.vancouver2010.com

Image from http://www.vancouver2010.com

[via: Arch Daily]