Copper Box

Sports: Handball and modern pentathlon

The iconic Copper Box will host some of the most exciting action on the Olympic Park during the London 2012 Games.

The venue is extremely flexible, with retractable seating that can change the floor size within the venue, facilitating different activities both during and after the Games.

The design and build

The venue was designed and built with sustainability as a priority. Among its many innovative features, the roof of the Copper Box is fitted with 88 light pipes that allow natural light into the venue, reducing the demand for electric lights. This will achieve annual energy savings of up to 40%.

Rainwater collected from the venue's roof will be used to flush toilets and reduce water use at the venue by up to 40%.

The glazed concourse level that encircles the building will allow visitors after the Games to see the sport taking place inside and illuminating the venue when lit at night.

The top half of the venue is clad in 3,000 square metres of external copper cladding – mostly recycled – to give it a unique appearance that will develop a rich natural colour as it ages.

Construction began in July 2009 and it was the third competition venue on the Olympic Park to be completed in May 2011.

After the Games

The Copper Box will become a multi-use sports centre for community use, athlete training and events, operated by Greenwich Leisure Limited.

Its flexible design and retractable seating mean it will be suitable for activities ranging from international competition to community sports, and for a wide range of indoor sports, including basketball, handball, badminton, boxing, martial arts, netball, table tennis, wheelchair rugby and volleyball.

A health and fitness club with changing facilities and a cafe for use by the local community are also planned.

Temporary areas used for the media and technology equipment during the Games will be converted to provide extra spectator facilities. The athletes' changing rooms will be adapted to create more family-friendly and accessible changing areas.