My view was from the balcony of Cisco House. The networking company's penthouse complex, perched atop an office building on the edge of a huge shopping mall right next to the park, is a beautifully executed corporate hospitality and marketing complex. But in a better-than-usual location. As a major partner and provider to the Olympics, it made sense for Cisco to build next to the big show, and one of the glories of the place is a broad, covered balcony overlooking the heart of the new sports complex.
There's no denying that the architecture is good. The swimming pavilion (middle left) is supposed to look like a wave but reminded me of some giant whale's tongue. Amusing, and certainly aquatic. Water polo, just across from it, is monumental and interesting. The main stadium looks like it will soon start spinning and levitate on a mission to Mars. Very Disney Tomorrowland vision of the future. That vibe continues with the observation tower you can spot sticking up on the left, which looks like it should have a great roller coaster zipping around it but, sadly, those curves are just a giant sculpture with an observation deck on top.
And those things in the front? Security tents, I was told. A frightening logistical challenge, but obviously necessary.
You can see what a horrifically grey and wet day it was. One hopes the weather improves in late July and August but, let's be honest: this is England. Chances are poor, especially since May and June have already been a chilly washout. So we have white and grey buildings, against a backdrop of white and grey skies.
Maybe they were trying to be culturally in tune with the ancient Greeks. Pericles and his boys loved white buildings. The Acropolis looks fabulous against its frequent backdrop of vivid blue. This grey on grey London scheme, I'm afraid, isn't promising.
If you're hoping the background will add some colour, think again. We don't have mountains or dramatic landscapes to enliven the scene here. This is the industrial mouth of the Thames. Dead flat, punctuated by grim 1960s tower blocks. Guess what? They're grey. Like most modern Olympic sites, this one has been built in an area desperately in need of regeneration. A great thing for the area's future, but it means the views beyond the park are grim. I hope visitors realise that they're going to have to travel to other places to see London's gracious, historic architecture.
All of which left me wondering why the architects didn't add interesting colours to the fascinating shapes of these buildings. They could have splashed a vibrant statement onto a grey landscape and boosted the mood all around. Instead, these great buildings fade into the background like a pack of snowy owls in the Arctic.
Let's hope for blue skies. Then perhaps we'll get the "Greek effect" of contrast to show off the colourless beauty. Alternatively, let's hope the horticulturalists work some magic in the next few weeks. For hundreds of years, British gardeners have brought colour to otherwise dreary summers. The cool rain is their friend. While the skies might be grey, the weather brings out vibrant greens and plays friendly host to flowers in every shade. If they can build the Chelsea Flower Show in a week, I suppose they can tart up the Olympic Park wonderfully in five. I wait with interest.
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