As the Olympic torch arrives in London we go inside Zaha Hadid’s Aquatics Center, which is designed to shed and recycle 17,000 seats and become the neighborhood natatorium—the very definition of sustainable. We talk to Hadid and project architect Sara Klomps about its other green features and the anticipated metamorphosis.

What else is in this summery issue? Everything. Not just builders and designers but financiers, foundations, and passionate citizens, all who play a huge role in providing us spaces to play. It’s their efforts we celebrate in this issue of gb&d.

HKS changes the game with the first LEED Platinum stadium in the country. UNO teams up with Juan Moreno and Ghafari Associates create a soccer-themed charter school. And much, much more. gb&d is everything essential to sustainability.