Olympic Stadium shortlisted for architectural prize
Tuesday, 24 July 2012 10:51 AM
The Stadium is going to be revealed to the public for the first time on Friday
The Olympic Stadium has been shortlisted for the UK's most prestigious architecture prize, just days before the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.
The Stirling Prize shortlist is a British prize for excellence in architecture, named after the architect James Stirling and awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
This year, the Olympic Stadium is competing against is the Hepworth Wakefield Gallery in Yorkshire and the Lyric Theatre in Belfast for the prize.
After it is revealed during Friday night's Opening Ceremony, the public will be able to appreciate the Olympic Stadium's groundbreaking design for the very first time. It boasts, among other things, an 80,000 capacity which can be reduced after the Games.
Around 10,000 tonnes of steel were used to build the venue – significantly less than in other Olympic stadiums, making its construction more sustainable. The top ring of the Stadium was built using surplus gas pipes.
The judges commented: "There is a spirit of fun - they have designed a space to create an amazing atmosphere, where every seat has a great view."
The winner will be announced in October.
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