Populous Selected to Design Main Stadium for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi

Global design practice Populous announced that it has been selected by the State Corporation ‘Olympstroy’ to design the main stadium for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

Populous has also designed the master plan and overlay plan for competition and non-competition venues and facilities in Sochi, and now adds designing the main 40,000 seat stadium to their expanding role on the 2014 Games. Populous is joined in the design consortium by Russian contractor Engeocom and Botta Management.

“The main stadium design, in addition to the venue overlay plan we have prepared for the 2014 Games, delivers a wonderful vision for the winter Olympics, and a lasting sustainable legacy for Sochi. Its sweeping form responds to both its coastal location and mountainous backdrop, whilst its crystalline skin engages with its surroundings by day, and provides an iconic representation of the color and spectacle of the games when illuminated at night.  We are proud to be involved on such a level with Olympstroy,” said John Barrow, Populous senior principal.

“The stadium in Winter Olympics mode will be used for the Opening and Closing and Medal Ceremonies in Sochi. Later it will become a football venue for local and national teams,” he said. 

Populous, formerly HOK Sport Venue Event, has its main Asian office in Brisbane, but its work in Russia is carried out from its London office.

This is the 25th year of Populous’ involvement in Olympic and Paralympic Games, and believes it is now the first design practice to have been officially appointed for the design of two Olympic Stadiums at one time. Populous is the architecture firm responsible for the main Stadium and venues overlay for the London 2012 Games.

Image: Populous