Solatube® Daylighting Systems deliver
gold medal Olympic performance

Billed as the 'Green Olympics', the organisers of Beijing 2008 are boasting a host of energy saving technologies in the construction specifications of the various sporting venues for this summer's games. As part of the drive to lower emissions, 148 Solatube Daylighting Systems have been installed into the roof of the massive new 8,000 seat gymnasium built to stage the Judo and Taekwondo events during the coming weeks. The gymnasium has a 2,400sqm competition arena that seats over 8,000 spectators and will host the judo and TaekwonDo Olympic competitions, as well as the Paralympics wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball events.

The architects designing the gymnasium at the Beijing Science & Technology University sought a way to add natural light to the building that would satisfy the needs of athletes and spectators, while reducing the need for artificial lighting. However, with a steel-frame roof, numerous obstructions and a diffusion plane over 17 metres high, the building provided many design challenges. With tube lengths in excess of eight meters, only Solatube's 99.7% reflective tubing was considered to be up-to-the-job of delivering enough light to satisfy the needs of both athletes and spectators. As a result, 148 Solatube Daylighting Systems have been installed in a major gymnasium that will be used for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Solamaster 530mm diameter Daylighting Systems were used. They collect light through technologically-advanced, transparent domes, transport it down highly reflective tubes and distribute it through diffusers to provide superior natural lighting and extend the hours of daylight available within the gymnasium. The Solatube Daylighting Systems overcame the problems posed by the steel-framed roof design and ceiling height as they can transmit daylight over eight metres with minimal light loss, and could easily be angled around construction obstructions.

Additionally, the building's Solatube Daylighting Systems were equipped with the unique Solatube OptiView® Diffusers to evenly disperse the daylight throughout the interior space. Solatube Daylight Dimmers were also installed to ensure that the daylight could be adjusted for optimum energy efficiency, occupant comfort and changing space requirements. Furthermore, Solatube Daylighting Systems eliminate powerful glare and hot spots from the intense Beijing sun, and prevent UV rays and solar heat from entering the building.

Chris Taffs, UK marketing director of Solatube, said:

"We are delighted that Solatubes are playing an important role in the Olympics this year and helping to create such a beautiful and energy-efficient facility."

Weimin Zhuang, Architect for this project, commented:

"Compared with traditional lighting systems, Solatube Daylighting Systems have a unique advantage with better progressed view and a wide application field. They reduced power usage and exceeded our environmental design goals."

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Last updated: 11th October 2011