Friday, September 10, 2010

PFF - National Stadium & Aquatics Center, Beijing





This lovely postcard from China was waiting for me when I got home today. Although I am not usually interested in stamps, I think the ones on this card are unusually pretty.The card show the National Stadium and Aquatics Center which were built for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

The stadium is nicknamed the Bird's Nest because of its appearance. The design was actually based on a study of Chinese ceramics. The steel beams were originally meant to hide supports for a retractable roof, but the retractable roof was omitted from the final design. The Aquatics Center is nicknamed the Water Cube because of its shape (actually a cuboid, or rectangular box).

9 comments:

  1. That is a beautiful postcard and stamps can be a work of art all in themselves.
    Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  2. The architecture is stunning! I hadn't realised just how exceptional they are. The stamps too. Of course here in England we are gearing up for 2012. I just hope they produce cards and stamps that live up to the occasion.

    ReplyDelete
  3. the bird's nest was a stunning architectural achievement! thanks for sharing this card - happy PFF!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good name, the bird's nest. And I like the stamps too. Happy PFF.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a cool postcard! And what a wonderful place! I really enjoyed reading your blog this morning. I also really liked the stamps affixed to this postcard!

    Happy PFF!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful stamps... Amazing buildings. Thanks for Sharing... Happy PFF

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful card and the stamps are just beautiful. Brings back memories of the opening night ceremony ... spectacular!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The stamp of the winter scene is especially beautiful, IMHO.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The structure is amazing and the card is a nice composition. The Chinese produce some wonderful stamps.

    ReplyDelete