Water Cube brings Chinese architect Olympic glory

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

SHANGHAI (AFP) — Zhao Xiaojun may not have won a gold medal, but the Shanghai architect who helped create the iconic bubble-clad Water Cube is already reaping the rewards of Olympic glory.

The record-breaking exploits of US swimmer Michael Phelps turned a global spotlight on Beijing's National Aquatics Center, which was built with an exterior that looks as delicate as soap bubbles.

And for Zhao, the Olympic Games have brought very welcome attention.

"People tell me it is a magic swimming pool because swimmers broke so many world records in these past few days," the 41-year-old architect told AFP.

Zhao's firm China Construction Design International teamed up with Australia's PTW Architects and London-based engineers Arup to build the award-winning...