The official name is rather prosaic, but everyone and their mum knows this centerpiece of the Olympics by its well-loved nickname, the “Bird’s Nest”. Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron are actually not in favor of this moniker; they prefer multiple ways of perceiving a building. Contrary to its seemingly random appearance, strict rule-based methods were employed in the stadium’s construction, and each half of the 44,000 ton-steel shell is basically identical in design. Spectators benefit from natural air circulation inside, while a translucent membrane provides protection from the rain. Come evening time, the Bird’s Nest puts on its swankiest appearance: A glimpse of the stadium’s reflection off the surrounding moat will have you reaching for your camera. During the Olympics, Usain Bolt decisively shattered both the men’s 100m and 200m world records here. Post-Olympics, a different kind of race takes place, as masses of tourists scramble to get tickets to enter during weekends and holidays. (A staggering 527,000 visitors arrived on October 2, 2008, alone.)