Bird’s Nest Features and events
1 min readThe eastern and western stands of Beijing National Stadium are higher than northern and southern stands in order to improve the line of sight.A24-hour rainwater collector is located near the stadium：after water is purified，it is used throughout and around the stadium.
Pipes placed under the playing surface gather heat in the winter towarm the stadium and coldness in the summer to cool the stadium.The stadium’s design originally called for a capacity of 100，000 people；however，9，000 were removed during a simplification of the design.The total of 91，000 would be shaved further when 11，000 temporaryseats were removed after the 2008 Olympics；reducing the stadium’s capacity to 80，000.The farthest seat is 140 meters from center field.Temperature and airflow of every surface were optimized to increase ventilation.
Beijing National Stadium hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies，athletic events and football final of the 2008 Summer Olympics from 8 to August 24，2008.The stadium also hosted the Opening and Closing ceremonies and athletic events of the 2008 Summer Paralympics from September 6 to17，2008.Though designed for track&field events of the Olympics，the stadium will continue to host sporting events such as football afterwards.A shopping mall and a hotel with rooms overlooking the field are planned to help increase its functions after the Olympics.Li stated，“This will become the most important public space in Beijing.”
