On June 23rd, the new Olympic House, located in Parc Louis Bourget in Lausanne, will open, during the worldwide celebration of Olympic Day. The Olympic House aims to bring together the IOC staff – 500 employees currently spread across Lausanne in four locations – under one roof at a single site. The building authentically reflects Olympism, the Olympic Movement and the role of the IOC as a catalyst for collaboration in an iconic and transparent way.
3XN approached the project with the intent to achieve the highest level of integration with the unique natural and historical setting of the park. Developed in close consultation with the local authorities, the Olympic House will offer the region an emblematic architectural landmark and become an important element of the local Louis Bourget public park that welcomes a diverse group of visitors every year. A hallmark of 3XN’s design, the façade of the Olympic House pays tribute to the Olympic spirit by emulating the graceful movements
of an athlete.
Image © 3XN
3XN’s design prioritizes transparency and flow to facilitate and encourage interaction, communication, and knowledge sharing between the IOC staff while creating a highly efficient and sustainable workspace. The Unity Staircase, which references the Olympic Rings, soars the full height of the building and connects the five floors through a central atrium. The building has a strong ambition to meet the most demanding sustainability standards both locally and internationally and has been designed to favour energy and water efficiency, waste reduction and landscape integration.
Privately funded, the Olympic House represents an investment by the IOC into the local economy and confirms the organization’s attachment to Lausanne, the Olympic Capital. The Olympic House is a unique example of innovative collaboration between different stakeholders, including the IOC, the Worldwide Olympic Partners (The Dow, Toyota and Panasonic), the architects (3XN and IttenBrechbühl), sustainability certification bodies, local authorities, suppliers and academics. Source and images Courtesy of 3XN.
Image © 3XN Image © 3XN 
Image © 3XN