Construction could go on till 2010 as the northern tip of Beijing's Chaoyang district flowers into a new suburb incorporating the Olympic Village, Olympic Green, Bird's Nest and other Games' venues.

New energy-saving technology is aimed at squeezing the most out of Beijing's limited water supply. The outer EFTE cladding acts like a sponge for rainwater that can be recycled later, while the backwash - or used water from the pool - will pass through a series of filters so it can be recycled instead of being allowed to flow into the city's sewerage. Natural light will be available for up to nine hours a day because the outer membrane lets 90 percent of the sunlight in.

While Athens reflected its outdoor culture almost by accident - construction delays meant a roof could not cover the pre-existing swimming center so athletes got to compete under the stars - the Chinese designers wanted a cubic structure to maintain a sense of harmony with the much more elaborate-looking Bird's Nest next door.

"The design of the Bird's Nest is very powerful and deserves its starring role," CSCES's Zhao said. "If the aquatics center were just as complicated, there would have been a lack of hierarchy in terms of aesthetics." That's why the Chinese pushed for the flat roof despite initial moves to make the building look more like a wave or rip curl.

Now the two iconic venues will work beautifully in tandem, especially when lit. "When the Olympic flame is handed over at the opening ceremony, the Water Cube may change to red to suit the atmosphere," Zhao said.

"If you think about the movie The Abyss, the scenes that jog one's mind are the ones at night when the beautiful, transparent, illuminated creatures emerge," says Pauline, referring to James Cameron's sci-fi blockbuster about underwater drillers who stumble upon an alien civilization that can control water.

"And I think the Water Cube is a little bit like that during the daytime, it's going to look very strong, but the building will really come into its own in the evening because that's when the LED lighting will glow and the building will take on an incredibly deep hue that would raise it to a new level. When you're inside, you'll be witness to the most beautiful effects."