Olympic Architecture - The Aftermath

Due to the monumentality that comes with hosting the Olympics, host cities view holding the games as an opportunity to showcase themselves and one way to do this is to create centerpiece architecture for the world to see.   But what happens next? According to Even Smith Wegeland’s “When Icons Crumble – The Troubled Legacy of Olympic Design,” there was no maintenance plan as part of the Athens Olympics, which led to the serious decline of 21 of the 22 venues, including the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (the OAKA). The OAKA is a particularly interesting case study, as the aim of Calatrava was to design an architectural centerpiece for the games that reflected Greece’s cultural history. By Smith Wegeland’s account, this was largely achieved. What I find interesting is that the current lackluster condition of OAKA is just as reflective of the state of the country now as it is of its rich history.

One theme out of this week’s readings that really stuck out to me was surrounding public architecture that is not maintained properly. When architecture, particularly public architecture like Olympic facilities, falls into disrepair, most people are quick to condemn it as lost or ruined. But if it is still standing, is it really lost, or has it just lost its appeal or essence? I liked the idea introduced by Nielsen that public architecture in decline has been “robbed of its place.” Because the OAKA was designed specifically for the Olympics, which likely will never return, the facility appears hollow, with no purpose. No event held in the facility will ever be as monumental as the Olympic Games, and thus the structure will not be viewed in the glorified context it was designed to be ever again. This feeling is what contributes to the idea of the OAKA becoming a “non-place.” Obviously this is not just true of OAKA, but many other pieces of public architecture as well.

Regardless of your opinion on the role of these complexes after such a monumental event, the images are undeniably striking. It’s hard to not to think about the juxtaposition of a packed facility with all the vibrancy that comes with an Olympic event and an overgrown, graffiti-invested space as being downright unnerving.

Beijing 2004 Summer Olympics Beach Volleyball Facility - Current State

Sarajavo Winter Olympics Bobsled Track - Current State

Given the current Olympic bid from the city of Boston, I was really interested in “When Icons Crumble – The Troubled Legacy of Olympic Design.” The residents of Boston seem hesitant about hosting the Olympics for several reasons, but one resounding question I’ve heard from people has been, “but where are they actually going to hold all of the events?” I get the sense that there is a general agreement that so much money is spent on creating and updating sports facilities for the Olympics, and then as soon as they are over, there is little need for such extravagant complexes, as seen with OAKA. This seems to be a recurring problem as the internet is littered with images of run-down Olympic facilities from Sarajevo to Beijing to Berlin.  With this in mind, it’s not surprising that any city’s residents would be hesitant to support hosting the Olympics.