Olympic Spirit Munich, 1999

The Olympic Spirit visitor attraction in Munich for International Spirit Development Corporation was the first of several planned worldwide centres created to celebrate the Olympic Games.

The chosen site was within the underused Velodrome at Munich's Olympiapark, the venue of the 1972 summer games. Owing to the "listed" nature of the Olympiapark, a new stand alone structure was not permitted and the reuse of the Velodrome was a more sustainable approach to the overall site. The Velodrome had ceased to be used owing to a new fully covered, all weather venue being completed 30 miles away.

Whilst at careyjones architects Simon was responsible for the design of this projects. The 100,000 sq ft attraction was effectively a building within a building, allowing the Velodrome's main structure and external skin to be retained and refurbished as part of the project. The two storey new build was constructed to the confines of the existing laminated structure using a particularly fine bowstring roof developed to gain maximum headroom internally.

The attraction was developed as an open volume space with the first floor opening onto a large central well, containing the primary vertical circulation routes. This both helped the visitors orientation whilst providing an immediate buzz to the atmosphere with a feeling of activity and life. The large open nature of the building was also developed to provide maximum flexibility for the future use of the centre.

The finished centre told the story of the Olympic Games from its inception in Ancient Greece to its renaissance in the 20th Century and the modern Summer and Winter Games. Visitors were encouraged to "take part", a key element of the Olympic message in a wide variety of Sports through interactive displays. These were designed to introduce the "entrant" to the mental, physical and skill levels required of the modern athlete. Sports included the Biathlon, Ice Hockey and Bobsleigh from the Winter Olympics with Equestrian, Basket Ball, Weight Lifting and the blue ribbon event the 100metre sprint from the Summer Games.

The scheme delivered by a joint UK/German professional team was opened on time and to budget, with an opening night attended by an international field of Gold medallists.

The buildings inherent designed flexibility is seen today as the centre is now used as a major Events Arena for the Olympia Park, being utilised for Exhibitions, trade fairs and conferences. The venue has a capacity for up to 3800 people, backed by the full catering facilities which were designed as part of the original Olympic Spirit Venue.