Populous to Masterplan 2014 Youth Olympic Games

The Masterplan for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, has been awarded to world leading sports architecture firm Populous.

This is the second big win for Populous in Nanjing, following its design of the Nanjing Sports Park for the 10th China National Games in 2005.

The winning masterplan for the international competition will see over 189 hectares or 3 million metres2 of new floor space built into the city, including several public buildings that will be illuminated like lanterns for the Youth Games. Images that showcase the lantern concept have been released for the first time today.

The Masterplan has been conceived with the legacy at the forefront and will include public buildings, such as schools and exhibition centres, alongside Olympic venues and the athlete's accommodation. Populous has been able to draw upon their considerable experience in delivering sustainable Masterplanning for other Olympic sites which include the London 2012 Olympic Park and the Sochi 2014 Olympic Park.

Ashley Munday, Principal of the Masterplanning team at Populous said "our primary brief was to create a lasting legacy for the city of Nanjing following the Youth Olympics in 2014. The Masterplan was designed with the long term development of the city in mind and the Olympic Games have been carefully positioned to inhabit the new city rather than retrofit a legacy. Nanjing will literally light up for the Games, highlighting the city as the host of the Games."

Paul Henry, Senior Principal said Populous has been working in China for over ten years. He adds "this is a significant win for the firm, and will leave a lasting legacy for the city of Nanjing."

The initial build will see over 400,000 metres2 of floor space completed ahead of 2014 for the Youth Olympic Games, the full Masterplan will see this figure grow to 3 million metres2 over a longer period. The images that have been released demonstrate the magnitude of the project and the careful consideration for the picturesque qualities of Chinese landscape in Nanjing as well as the strong historic context.

Populous is also designing the London 2012 Olympic Stadium in the UK and the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand, both due to complete this year.

Image: Nanjing Sports Park

4th August 2010 - SINGAPORE SET FOR INAUGURAL YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

12th February 2010 - NANJING AWARDED 2014 YOUTH OLYMPICS 

2nd April 2009 - POPULOUS - DRAWING PEOPLE TOGETHER

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