SOCHI 2014 OLYMPICS ARCHITECTURE

The Winter Olympic Games will be inaugurates tomorrow in the city of Sochi in Russia, andwill last until 23 February 2014. The Coastal Cluster, along the Black Sea in the Adler district of the City of Sochi, is where most events will take place during the 2014 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Park is located in what was once a swamp. The chief architect of Sochi's 2014 Oleg Kharchenko, of construction company Olympstroy,  sought inspiration from previous Olympic Games host cities to transform a "swamp" into an expanse of beauty.

Fisht Olympic Stadium

The "Fisht" Olympic Stadium is located in the Olympic Park so that the spectators have a magnificent view on both mountain peaks in the north and the sea in the south. The design of the "Fisht" Olympic Stadium in Sochi is unique across Russia.

For the first time in the construction of a large-scale structure, a translucent polycarbonate roof will be used which will give the building an appearance of snowy peaks, ensuring it sits in harmony with the landscape of the Imeretinskaya Valley and the Caucasus Mountains.In the building’s design safety for visitors, workers, and athletes was paramount.

Moreover, environmental risks and losses related to the building construction and use have been minimized. The stadium’s design was developed to meet the requirements of the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) as well as international best practice in accessibility for people with disabilities. 
Fisht Olympic Stadium 

Project: Populous
Capacity: 40,000
Construction cost: $603 million
Events: Opening ceremony, closing ceremony 
After the Games: Host of Russian National Team soccer, 2018 FIFA World Cup

Shayba Arena

The "Shayba" Arena is part of the complex of facilities operated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The complex includes the "Bolshoy" Ice Dome, the "Shayba" Arena and a training rink. All Ice Hockey venues are located in close proximity to one another, providing maximum comfort for athletes and guests of the Games.

The “Shayba” Arena is designed to accommodate 7,000 spectators. The venue will host Olympic ice hockey competitions and Paralympic ice sledge hockey competitions. The “Shayba” Arena is a moveable venue, making it possible to be dismantled and transported for post-Games use as an Ice Palace in another Russian city.

It would be impossible to imagine a game of ice hockey without a "shayba" or puck and the name accurately portrays the purpose of the venue. As well as this, for Russians, shouting "Shaybu!" is a universal and familiar way of supporting hockey teams at the international championships. Therefore, this name represents the character of the "Russian" Winter Games. 
Shayba Arena 

Project: Walter Pichler architect of Stahlbau Pichle
Capacity: 7,000
Construction cost: $27.2 million
Events: Ice hockey
After the Games: Will be dismantled and moved to another Russian city

Bolshoy Ice Dome

The "Bolshoy" Ice Dome is part of the complex of facilities operated by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). The complex includes the «Bolshoy» Ice Dome, the “Shayba” Arena and a training rink. All Ice Hockey venues are located in close proximity to one other, providing maximum comfort for athletes and guests of the Games.

The "Bolshoy" Ice Dome complex will have a capacity of 12,000 seats and will be covered by a dome. The design of the "Bolshoy" Ice Dome is based on the image of a frozen drop and will be principally silver once complete. After the Games, the "Bolshoy" Ice Dome will serve as an ultra-modern, world-class multi-purpose sports and entertainment center. The name of the Ice Dome highlights the characteristics of this sports venue.

The "Bolshoy" will be one of the biggest Olympic venues for hosting events and will house the most popular sport of the Winter Olympics, ice hockey. Equally, the word "Bolshoy" is understandable and familiar to representatives of many different countries, evoking an instant association with Russia’s Bolshoy Theatre, the traditions of the Russian school of ballet, figure skating, ice hockey and other achievements of the biggest country in the world. 
Bolshoy Ice Dome 

Project: SIC Mostovik 
Capacity: 12,000
Construction cost: $180 million
Events: Ice hockey, including medal games
After the Games: Multi-purpose sports/entertainment venue