Olympic handball designs unveiled - IMAGES

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has unveiled the designs for the London 2012 handball arena.

Designed by Make Architects with PTW and Arup, the arena features retractable seating for up to 7,000 people, as reported by CJ last week.

Below: The interior of the Olympics handball arena.

Below: The exterior.

The copper-clad building will feature a concourse level with glazing that allows visitors outside to watch the events inside.

100 light pipes in the ceiling will allow natural light into the venue, while a rainwater harvesting system will flush toilets with water from the roof.

In legacy mode the venue will seat 6,000 and be used for five-a-side football, netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, handball and Futsal.

A planning application for the venue has been submitted and shortlisted contractors Barr, Buckingham Group, Byrne Group, Mansell Construction Services and Verry Construction are competing for the contract.

ODA chairman John Armitt said: “This is a simple, sustainable and flexible design that works well for the Games and legacy.

“The colourful interior will help boost the Games time experience for athletes and spectators, and in legacy will become a modern, practical and attractive facility for local people of all abilities to enjoy a range of sports.

“The copper-cladding sets the venue in the surrounding parklands and will look even more striking as it changes over time.”