Populous selected to design 'crystalline skin' stadium for 2014 Winter Olympics

Russian officials have selected global architect Populous to design the main stadium for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The 40,000-seat stadium will feature a crystalline skin that "engages with its surroundings by day and provides an iconic representation of the color and spectacle of the games when illuminated at night," said Populous senior principal John Barrow.

The firm will also design the masterplan and overlay plan for all competition and non-competition venues and facilities. Populous is joined in the design consortium by Russian contractor Engeocom and Botta Management.

"The main stadium design, in addition to the venue overlay plan we have prepared for the 2014 Games, delivers a wonderful vision for the winter Olympics and a lasting sustainable legacy for Sochi," said Barrow. "Its sweeping form responds to both its coastal location and mountainous backdrop."

This is the 25th year of Populous' involvement in Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the firm is now the first design practice to have been officially appointed for the design of two Olympic Stadiums at one time (Populous is the architect responsible for the main stadium and venues overlay for the London 2012 Games).