Architecture of the Paris 2024 Olympics
By Marcin Szczelina
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approach, we spotlight two key structures either built or renovated specifically for this event. However, the organization of the Olympics brings numerous controversies and challenges related to the financial and environmental burdens on the city. In today’s world, do we still need such grand events that generate significant costs and impact the environment?
Aquatic Centre, photo: Salem Mostefaoui, Simon Guesdon.
Aquatic Centre
The Aquatic Centre, designed by VenhoevenCS and Ateliers 2/3/4/, is a modern facility created specifically for the 2024 Olympic Games. This center stands out with its innovative design that harmoniously blends aesthetics with functionality and sustainable solutions. The architects maximized the use of natural light, reducing energy consumption while creating pleasant conditions for training and competitions. The building, made from energy-efficient materials, aligns with Paris’s green ambitions and its goal to reduce CO2 emissions.
VenhoevenCS and Ateliers 2/3/4/ implemented solutions such as green roofs and rainwater retention systems, aiding water management and improving the microclimate around the structure. The Aquatic Centre not only meets sporting requirements but also exemplifies sustainable construction, potentially inspiring future architectural projects worldwide.
The project features a wooden, undulating roof that minimizes the volume of air requiring conditioning, contributing to energy savings. The center can accommodate up to 5000 spectators, and its roof will be one of the largest solar farms in France, generating 25% of the required electricity.
Post-Olympics, the facility will serve the local community, offering various functions such as swimming pools, fitness areas, restaurants, and sports venues. The designers also focused on ecological aspects, planting 100 trees around the building to improve air quality and biodiversity.
Grand Palais, photo: Laurent Kronental.
Renovation of Grand Palais
The Grand Palais, a historic building from 1900, underwent extensive renovation for the 2024 Olympics, overseen by the French studio Chatillon Architectes. The renovation aimed to restore the building’s former glory and adapt it to contemporary standards, a significant challenge given the structure’s age and historical importance.
Key renovation elements included preserving the iconic glass roof and the spacious nave, symbols of Belle Époque architecture. The architects had to balance maintaining original features with introducing modern amenities. The exterior facade was also restored to its original appearance, and the interiors were adapted for large events such as sports competitions, exhibitions, and concerts, enhancing the building’s functionality.
Significance and Controversies
These modernized and renovated structures will host key Olympic events, attracting an international audience. However, constructing infrastructure for short-term events like the Olympics raises significant controversies. Many question whether investing vast resources in facilities used for only a few weeks is justified, as these projects often strain city budgets for years. The organization of the Paris 2024 Olympics poses substantial financial and logistical challenges for the city. Operational and infrastructure costs are considerable, and organizers must address issues such as security, transport, and long-term profitability after the games. The cost has escalated to 8.3 billion euros (approximately 38.5 billion PLN), raising questions about long-term benefits and financial burdens for residents. Examples from cities like Athens, Beijing, and Rio de Janeiro illustrate that Olympic infrastructure often becomes “white elephants,” generating maintenance costs for years post-event.
The Olympics are intended to unite people, promote peace, and foster global understanding. However, can the games still achieve this in today’s world? With crises such as the war in Ukraine, mass killings in Gaza, and the radicalization of Europe, it’s challenging to find a clear answer. France itself is deeply politically divided, with significant social and political crises, such as protests against pension reforms leading to mass demonstrations and unrest. French President Emmanuel Macron faces the difficult task of finding constructive and inclusive solutions to the political crisis shaking the country. This raises the question: can the Olympics contribute to uniting us and promoting peace in such turbulent times? The effectiveness of managing these projects and the city’s ability to transform these investments into lasting legacies that serve future generations remain to be seen.