London Aquatics Centre, London

In 2012, the London Aquatics Centre saw both triumphs and defeats, joy and disappointment: this was the venue for the Olympic swimming events which were held under a spectacular roof. Today it is a public swimming pool.

One of the most spectacular buildings in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is without doubt the aquatics centre planned by Zaha Hadid Architects. The base of the building is made of exposed concrete consisting of up to 75% recycled aggregate. Between the roof and the building itself, high glass facades flood the pool with natural light, with advantages in terms of both atmosphere and energy efficiency. KEIM Ecotec, clear water repellent, was used on the internal concrete. KEIM Concretal Lasur, in colour CL018, was applied to the upstands on the stairs to uniform structural differences within the concrete.