US Olympic Museum

US based architectural practice Diller Scofidio + Renfro have unveiled preliminary designs for the US Olympic Museum, to be built in Colorado Springs, in close proximity to the Olympic Committee Headquarters. This museum intends to commemorate the legacy of the US Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Photography by © Jason O’Rear

As far as the preliminary images tell us, this museum will be integrated into a larger area of landscaped terrain, forming a plaza and paths that circle around the main building. The American firm was selected in last October to design this $60 million museum, which will include a hall of fame, a theater, and a 20,000-square-foot exhibit hall and retail space to showcase the history of the Olympic and Paralympic games. Museum officials hope to break ground in 2016, with a opening date set for 2018 – in time for the Winter Olympics, which will be held in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Photograghy by © Nic Lehoux

In the words of the architects: “Inspired by the movement of athletes, the United States Olympic Museum spirals up and outwards from a central atrium, drawing the public in at its base and propelling them up through the galleries”. “Expressed in two parts of one body in counterpoise, the building frames a new downtown public plaza below the view of Pike’s Peak, and extends a new axis to the America the Beautiful Park West.”

Photograghy by © Nic Lehoux

Diller Scofidio + Renfro were chosen to design this building, in downtown Colorado Springs, leaving behind the likes of Morphosis architects, REX, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Fentress Architects. We are left curious to know further details about the project, and how will it integrate into the mountainous background of this Colorado city.