Note-Making – Example


The water cube consists of 100,000 square meters of ETFE, (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) a unique transparent plastic which absorbs solar radiation and reduces thermal loss. This is the first time ETFE has been used in China and it is the world’s largest and most complex ETFE building ever constructed.

               ETFE is recyclable and light (1% the weight of glass) but it is also strong, capable of bearing up to 400 times its own weight. As it lets in more light and is a better insulator than glass, it will reduce energy costs in the Water Cube by 30%. The Water Cube’s structure consists of 3000 pneumatic cushions ranging with different sizes from 9sqm to less than 1sqm in size. These “air bubbles” are relatively independent of each other so they can be easily replaced. The Led-lit bubbles allow warm air to enter the building and keep the warm temperature at an optimum 28 degrees, but the air can also be stored and used in the Water Cube when required.

Sample Notes

Features that make Water Cube eco-friendly

·        absorbs solar radiation
·        reduces thermal loss
·        recyclable and light
·        reduce energy costs
allow warm air to enter the building