The masterplan for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, was recently awarded to sports architecture firm Populous.
The masterplan for the international competition will see over 189 hectares or three million sqm of new floor space built into the city, including several public buildings that will be illuminated like lanterns for the Youth Games.
The plan was 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.
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, said: “This is a significant win for the firm, and will leave a lasting legacy for the city of Nanjing.”
Populous has drawn upon their experience in delivering masterplanning for other Olympic sites which include the London 2012 Olympic Park and the Sochi 2014 Olympic Park.
The firm is also designing the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand, due to complete this year.
The images the firm has released are aimed at demonstrating 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.
