United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado

Architects: Diller Scofidio + Renfro architectural firm – Holly Deichmann Chacon, Sean Gallagher, project design Yushiro Okamoto

Facade solution consultants: HEITMANN & ASSOCIATES

Year of opening: 2020

Total built-up area (TBA): 5574 m2

Total floor area: 5,574 m² The museum is located at the foot of the rocky mountains of Colorado Springs, where it serves as the home of the United States Olympic Training Center. The museum will serve as a new link between the new city and the championship district, forming a new axis that will connect downtown Colorado Springs with the beautiful park to the west.

The building (with a total floor area of 5574.18 m²)2) has 1856.06 m2  galleries, contemporary theater, event space, and café. Inspired by the energy and grace of US athletes and the values embodied by the sports organization, the building's dynamic spiral shape allows visitors to descend through the galleries on a continuous path. This basic organizational structure enables the museum to rank among the most accessible museums in the world, ensuring that visitors with and without disabilities can comfortably share the same experience while exploring the museum.

A terraced public square lies at the heart of the museum complex, connecting the museum building (located to the south) and the café (located to the north). The square frames a beautiful picture with a view of Pikes Peak. (Pikes peak) и скалистите планини (Rocky Mountains) beyond. With 230 integrated amphitheater seating, the plaza can host outdoor events throughout all seasons, from winter games to summer games.

The façade consists of over 9,000 folded anodized aluminum panels in the shape of diamonds, all unique in shape and size. The outer shell of the building envelops four overlapping volumes that are attached around the inner structure. Each metal panel is inspired by the exceptional quality of light in Colorado Springs, creating gradients of different colors and shades that give the building a fresh sense of movement and dynamism.

A new pedestrian bridge crossing the railroad tracks connects downtown Colorado Springs with the beautiful park and the city's existing network of walkways. The structure of the outer shell acts as both an arch and a support for the footbridge.

LEVEL 1:

Lobby with atrium: Light from the skylight illuminates the 12-meter atrium, while perforated GFRG (reinforced gypsum board made of glass fibers) provide a view from the lobby. The four balconies, varying in height and overlooking the atrium, guide visitors towards this central space as they move through the galleries.

Theater: The theater is about 190 m2 can accommodate 130 people. Two rows of seats are removable to accommodate a maximum of 26 wheelchairs, allowing a full Paralympic hockey team to sit together.

LEVEL 2:

Event space: The space with an area of 120m2 offers panoramic views covering the perimeter from downtown Colorado Springs to the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountains).  The space can be opened up and connected to the terrace, which has an area of 46 m².2.

Café with dining area: On this level there is a café with an area of 260 m2 with additional outdoor dining area (with an area of 38 m2), which is equipped and capable of accommodating a restaurant with a full range of services and educational programs, supporting a flexible meeting place, both across the square and next to the main museum building. The café's landscaped roof is planted with native vegetation that recreates and depicts the changing seasons.

LEVEL 3:

Meeting room: The multifunctional meeting room with an area of 74 m2 has an adjoining outdoor terrace of 44 m2 and a high-quality suspended facade with a height of 3 meters, framing the view of the Rocky Mountains (Rocky Mountains).

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