Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Village Nears Completion Ahead of Winter Games
Final preparations have been completed at the former Porta Romana railway yard in Milan for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Village. The village will host athletes during the upcoming Winter Games before being converted into student and affordable housing.
Location and Urban Transformation
The village is located in central Milan on a historic site, as part of a broader plan to transform the former industrial area into a fully integrated urban district. The project balances temporary use during the Games with long-term functions after the event.
Architectural Design and Facades
The village consists of six new residential buildings alongside two restored historic structures, preserving original brick, wood, and iron elements.
The architectural language is simple and contemporary, inspired by the city’s historic buildings. Ground floors are designed flexibly to accommodate cultural and commercial uses over time, while communal terraces shaded by vertical greenery provide outdoor gathering and study spaces.
Public Spaces and Environment
Green courtyards and landscaped gardens throughout the site create a comfortable environment and enhance the buildings’ resilience to climate change. Sustainable energy strategies include solar panels, rooftop gardens, passive cooling, and stormwater collection systems, covering over 30% of the site’s energy needs.
Urban Connectivity and Heritage
Pedestrian pathways and connections within the village align with surrounding streets, improving mobility and linking the district with its neighborhood. Restored historic buildings remain central to the site, highlighting the area’s industrial heritage while integrating with contemporary design.
Post-Games Use
After the Games, the village will accommodate over 1,700 student beds, with additional buildings adapted for affordable housing. This approach combines sustainability with temporary and permanent architectural use, providing a model for future Olympic villages.
✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight
The images of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Village illustrate a coherent distribution of buildings and green spaces, employing natural material palettes of brick, wood, and glass to create a balanced visual experience. Open courtyards and vertical terraces provide clear opportunities for social and visual interaction. However, while the design emphasizes architectural harmony and reflects the site’s industrial heritage, the internal functional flow remains somewhat underdefined, potentially affecting everyday user experience. Positively, the project demonstrates a clear commitment to sustainability through integrated solar energy and stormwater systems, enhancing the long-term value of the village.
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