Dutch architectural office VenhoevenCS and its French partner Ateliers 2/3/4/ have won the prestigious design competition for the largest Aquatics Centre in Paris. It’s the only building that will be built for the Olympics Games of 2024. The winning design will contribute to an unforgettable experience of the Games in Paris. But, perhaps even more importantly: after the Games, a beautiful and innovative sports centre will remain for the people in Saint-Denis, Paris.

The building is designed for multifunctional use. During the Olympic Games, the competitions for water polo, diving and synchronized swimming will take place here. The building will then be transformed into a boccia stadium during the Paralympics, and after the games, the building will remain as centre for various (sporting) events for the neighbourhood.

Together with the green public space and the new bridge that connects the stadium with the ‘Stade de France’, the largest stadium in France, the Aquatics Centre is an important investment in the future of Saint-Denis, one of the most problematic neighbourhoods in France.

Building with Wood

The new Aquatics Centre will be built in wood, with an impressive wooden roof that, as a suspended shape, guides the view down to the competition pools perfectly. This roof shape also reduces the use of energy. In all areas, the design exceeds the sustainability requirements. For example, the roof is fully equipped with solar panels, creating one of the largest urban solar farms in France. Around the compact building there is room to plant a hundred new trees.

Better Climate in the City

The design was developed in an inspiring collaboration with the client Grand Métropole de Paris and with an outstanding team of skilled professionals such as Bouygues Batiment Ile de France, Récréa and Dalkia. It perfectly illustrates how sustainable design concepts can lead to a new architecture, one that contributes to improving the quality of life in our cities.

 

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