Sports stories come to life
Newly opened, the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum (USOPM) is designed by New York-based architecture firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is a tribute to Olympic and Paralympic activities, with the athletes of the american team in the spotlight. The building is made in a spiral, allowing any visitor, even with a disability, to walk around the galleries in one continuous stroke and have a unique experience.
“This museum was built for almost 10 years, and we are delighted that these incredible stories are coming to life in Olympic City USA,” said Christopher Liedel, president and CEO of USOPM. It is more than a sports gallery. It is a museum of hopes and dreams. And we believe it will provide athletes and fans alike with a space to celebrate friendship, determination and all the best values Team USA athletes embody ”. The huge edifice, designed by architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, features a state-of-the-art theater, event space, cafe and galleries, twelve of which feature exhibitions designed by Gallagher Associates and follow a narrative arc that takes guests along through the course of the athletes of the american team. With its universal concept and technology capabilities, it is one of the most accessible and interactive museums in the world. Here, guests can determine their athletic preferences and accessibility needs for a personalized visit. The athletes of the american selection are mainly involved and consulted with a single goal: to ensure an authentic experience and an inclusive design. The architecture firm’s design strategy is driven by the goal of expressing the extraordinary athleticism and progressive values of Team USA. A taut aluminum facade flexes and twists over the building’s dynamic pinwheel form, drawing inspiration from the energy and grace of Olympians and Paralympians. Inside, descending galleries are organized along a continuous spiral, enabling visitors of all abilities to have a shared, common experience along a universal pathway. “After leading the design of this project for the past six years, I am so moved by the collective and herculean effort that has enabled us to share, today, these stories of perseverance with the public,” says Benjamin Gilmartin, architect and partner at Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
