Design of the Games

Enchanté.

While the Cauldron might have been officially put out, the Kaleidoscope of emotions we experienced in the last two weeks will take some time to rest. So we had to ‘Olympicize’ this month’s feature.

From the Olympic Cauldron rising into the Parisian sky, the Château de Versailles gardens that hosted the equestrian events to the triathlon in the most romantic river symbolizing Paris- The Seine, the City of lights indeed set up many a ‘City of stars, there's so much that I can see’ Parisian moments for us. So, we set out to explore this play of architecture, culture, and community further- digging into the Olympic Architecture and Space design.

This fusion of athleticism and artistry extends beyond the events to the architecture that hosts them. Olympic architecture is more than just functional spaces for sport; it's a physical manifestation of the Olympic spirit, blending innovation, culture, and legacy and an opportunity for the host nation to make an artistic statement. As the founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, said, "Olympism is not a system; it is a state of mind. It can permeate a wide variety of modes of expression, and no single race or era can claim to have the monopoly of it". Placing sports at the service of humanity, the philosophy of Olympism, expressed through actions that link sport to culture and education, is taken forward meticulously through the design of the Olympic architecture. Let’s dig in.

The Olympiapark in Munich.

The Zeitgeist of the 70’s

Once seen, the Olympiapark in Munich cannot be forgotten. In May, visiting the stadium, the centrepiece of the 1972 Olympics, was one of the most visually intriguing experiences for me. Emulating the profile of the Alps, the Olympiastadion in Munich was designed and created by legendary architect Günter Behnisch and architect-engineer Frei Otto. Designed to showcase post-war Germany’s changed identity and a fresh, optimistic perspective, the stadium’s concept also drew inspiration from the Eastern European “Earth stadiums”. It features an iconic roof of steel cable and acrylic panels designed by Otto, stretching over the Olympic site like a massive, segmented tent. The first of its kind! The stadium stood on par with its natural environment. It blended the natural blues and greens of the Bavarian countryside perfectly, consciously depicting a stark contrast to the 1936 Berlin Olympics architecture that professed the power of the Third Reich through its visual domination. Thereby becoming the design that communicated the country’s new political philosophy.

The Aquatic Centre, London.

I’m chuffed to bits!

Set out with the motto to ‘inspire a generation to choose sports,’ the London 2012 Olympics transformed the heart of east London largely via inspired sustainable design and rest by British enthusiasm. IYKYK. Conceived by the visionary Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, the Aquatic Centre's form is a mesmerizing case in fluidity, inspired by the geometry of water in motion. Hadid's design philosophy, rooted in fragmentation and fluidity, skillfully manipulates the fluid space, creating a seamless fusion of public and private realms. Integrating the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the aquatic centre's core is inspired by the riverfront landscapes, with its roof emulating a wave, almost like static fluidity in motion. Boasting an environmentally conscious design, the venue's sustainability is also reflected through its legacy usage as a community leisure facility, reflecting inclusivity and community.

The Beijing National Stadium.

The yin-yang of stadiums

Biomimicry, the practice that learns from and mimics the strategies found in nature to solve human design challenges, is at the heart of this architectural marvel. The Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed the “Bird’s Nest” gets part inspiration from nature- The intricate weave of a bird’s nest and part from Chinese culture - the Chinese-style ‘Crazed’ pottery. This Architecture blends form and function and epitomizes ‘great nature on earth,’ symbolizing balance and harmony of nature and urban architecture. Clearly an icon for Beijing, the stadium- the world’s largest steel structure, also displayed China as an emerging superpower eager to display its technological and cultural confidence. Aesthetically pleasing, yes, this spatial design ensures the best viewing experience for spectators via its bowl-shaped inner ring and acts as a well-designed public space as well.

1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Carnival of LA

Lastly, while we have mainly documented the high-stakes arena of Olympic architecture, we ought to mention the graphics and wayfinding system for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics that made LA '84 not just compete in the space design marvels—but take home the gold. Setting a new standard for global brand design experiences, it demanded a visual strategy to unify 75 locations 150 miles apart into one cohesive Olympic spectacle for the world's largest TV audience ever. Deborah Sussman and Paul Prejza’s team used color as a tool to turn the entire region into a living, breathing brand. The key concept of Festive Federalism, which celebrates diversity and colorblindness while promoting ideas of individualism, competition, and self-reliance, was employed as the design philosophy. This immersive brand environment-dubbed an "invasion of butterflies" and "urban confetti"-seamlessly integrated architecture, landscape, graphics, and industrial design. Infusing every touchpoint with South Californian and Latin American energy, using Ephemeral decorations and key colors of magenta, with vermilion, chrome yellow, and vivid green.

In its myriad forms, Olympic architecture stands as a testament to the host nation’s celebration of its culture, history, and spirit of the community, and the ripple effect spreads the fervour to the global world at large. While everybody has favourites among the century of architecture that the Olympics has created, I believe the unique story behind each design and the legacy it leaves has poetically fostered a profound relationship between sports, community, and culture.

After all, “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”- Winston Churchill.

If you liked this article, you can take a world tour of the Olympic stadiums yourself and thank Google or us.

Written by Swati Baweja