Project description

The Olympic Village represents the first piece of the large-scale urban regeneration project in the Porta Romana area and reflects the city of Milan’s commitment to providing a comfortable and modern space for athletes participating in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics and Paralympics. Designed by the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) studio, the project ensures continuity with existing functions and includes the enhancement of the transportation and road network connecting to adjacent neighborhoods. Thanks to a public-private partnership between the buyers, the Milan-Cortina Foundation, the City of Milan, and the Lombardy Region, the Olympic Village will be developed to meet both pre- and post-competition needs, creating a zero-operational-emissions project that meets Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards. This will allow the integration of the physical spaces and services designed for athletes into the future neighborhood while minimizing conversion work and environmental impacts.

CEAS was responsible for structural and geotechnical design up to the contract phase, contributing to the realization of 6 nine-story reinforced concrete buildings, intended for use as a hotel and future student residence. These buildings stand above a shared basement measuring 80×300 meters, which serves as parking and technical facilities and is accessible via two ramps. Public squares, open spaces, green areas, and retail spaces complete the entire ground floor podium. The project includes architecturally significant addenda built with structural steel, known as “Horizontal connections,” designed to facilitate intercommunication between the above-ground buildings. This aspect involved seismic and static design of the buildings to support and ensure the dynamic behavior and stability of the entire structural assembly. Additionally, the project includes the structural reinforcement of two historical buildings for seismic and static compliance. Of particular importance is the new wooden roof structure of Building H, featuring truss systems made of wood and steel, covering an area of 36×65 meters and designed for restaurants and recreational spaces.