Solatube sports Olympic contract in Beijing

148 Solatube Daylighting Systems have been installed in a major gymnasium, at the Beijing Olympics 2008, as part of "Green Olympics".

The Solatubes collect light through technologically advanced, transparent domes, transport it down highly reflective tubes and distribute it through diffusers to provide superior lighting and extend the hours of daylight available within the gymnasium.

The competition arena that seats over 8,000and#61447;gymnasium has a 2,400m spectators and will host the judo and TaekwonDo Olympic competitions, as well as the Paralympics wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball events.

The architects designing the gymnasium at the Beijing Science and Technology University sought a way to add natural light to the building that would satisfy the needs of athletes and spectators, while reducing the need for artificial lighting.

However, with a steel-frame roof, numerous obstructions and a diffusion plane over 17 metres high, the building provided many design challenges.

The solution was Solatube 750 DS Daylighting Systems, which transmit daylight over eight metres and were angled around construction obstructions.

Additionally, the building's Solatube Daylighting Systems were equipped with OptiView Diffusers to evenly disperse the daylight throughout the interior space and Daylight Dimmers, so that the daylight could be adjusted for optimum energy efficiency, occupant comfort and changing space requirements.

Solatube Daylighting Systems were also chosen to cope with the intense Beijing sun because they eliminates powerful glare and hot spots, as well as stopping UV rays and heat from entering the building.

Chris Taffs, UK marketing director of Solatube said: "We are delighted that Solatubes are playing an important role in the Olympics this year and helping to create such a beautiful and energy-efficient facility.".

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