BMW has unveiled its new pavilion for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The winning design came from British architects Serie after bids from six companies.
As the sole automotive sponsor, BMW is allowed to build a pavilion at the Olympic Park during the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games and it expects to draw 8000 visitors a day.
What’s the BMW Olympic pavilion for?
For entertaining VIPs and sponsorship schmoozing, surely. But the good news is that any visitor to the Olympic Park can visit the double-decker building.
It’ll be worth dropping in if you’re lucky enough to be at the 2012 Olympics; the BMW pavilion’s top floor will showcase the latest models including the i8 supercar judging by this artist’s impression. The lower floor will have future mobility exhibitions and events with BMW-sponsored athletes.
The 800sq m site is situated above the Waterworks River, between the Olympic stadium and Aquatics Centre. River water will be used to cool the building before cascading down in a ‘water curtain’ back into the river. Unsurprisingly for a brand like BMW, sustainability is at the heart of this project.
BMW is providing around 4000 vehicles, including Minis and BMWs, to transport athletes and officials during the Games. Electric, hybrid and clean diesel tech will ensure that the fleet produces an average of less than 120g/km of CO2, although the exact make-up of the fleet won’t be announced until spring 2012.
There won’t be any Rolls-Royces, sadly. Not even the 102EX electric concept car. We were rather looking forward to seeing our gold medal winners lording it up silently around London’s streets in a big, spookily quiet Phantom…
The BMW boss speaks
Tim Abbott, managing director of BMW Group UK, said: ‘As a major investor, manufacturer and employer in the UK, BMW Group is deeply proud to be an official partner for Britain’s first Olympic & Paralympic Games since 1948.
‘This commitment to the UK is also reflected in our choice of a home-grown architecture practice to design our pavilion and we’re delighted that Serie’s final design reflects our commitment to sustainable thinking in such an innovative and eye-catching manner. We believe it provides a truly worthy addition to the Olympic Park.’
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