Can London oust the ghosts of Olympics past and find ways to reuse its venues? Photo courtesy Olympic Delivery Authority Click the image above to view slide show. Click the image above to view slide show. Assuming the dreams of London's Olympic planners come true, London 2012 will be as much a regeneration project as a global athletic event. From the outset, its defining mantras have been regeneration and 'legacy''East London's future. The location of the Olympic Park, straddling four of the city's poorest boroughs in East London's Lea River Valley, is far removed from the royal palaces and leafy
London is in a race to complete major infrastructure projects—an upgraded Tube, an expanded King’s Cross terminal, a cable car flying across the Thames—before the Olympic Games even begin. Call it the “London 2012 Effect.” You might not think, as you emerge from London’s refurbished Green Park subway station near Buckingham Palace, or glimpse the development going on behind the hugely expanded King’s Cross terminal, that they had much to do with the 2012 Olympics. Nor would you conclude that building an extension to the Tate Modern museum was related to the Games. But these and many more construction projects
Though London's Games have yet to leave the starting block, work on Rio's Olympic venues is well under way. Image courtesy AECOM AECOM’s master plan for the waterfront site of the 2016 Olympics in Rio includes several venues adapted from use in previous events, like the 1950 World Cup and the 2007 Pan-American Games. The 2012 London Olympics are still a month away, but in Rio de Janeiro, the city is already gearing up for the 2016 Games. In February, the Samb'dromo, home to the city's official samba-school parades, reopened in time for this year's Carnival with the addition of
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners This 47-story office tower looks like it might shave a block of parm quite well, hence its nickname: "The Cheese Grater." In fact, the wedge profile respects views of St. Paul's Cathedral. Image courtesy Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 122 Leadenhall Street
Rafael Vi'oly Architects Dubbed the "Walkie Talkie" because of its top-heavy shape, this 39-story, 1.1 million-square-foot office tower is under construction, with completion expected in 2014. A sky garden will feature 360-degree views of the city. Image courtesy Rafael Viñoly Architects 20 Fenchurch Street
Dixon Jones Architects Squire and Partners Kim Wilkie Associates The 12.8-acre site near trendy Chelsea and Belgravia was built in the 1860s and decommissioned and sold in 2008 for $1.5 billion. The master plan, to be completed in phases over the next six years, envisions housing, retail, and green space. Image courtesy Chelsea Barracks Partnership Chelsea Barracks
Stanton Williams The renovation of King's Cross station (designed by John McAslan and Arup) will be capped off with a new public square to be completed by the end of 2013. The 1970s concourse extension will be demolished and replaced by 75,000 square feet of open space, with seating and an area for outdoor art exhibitions. Image courtesy Stanton Williams King's Cross Square
Kohn Pedersen Fox This spiraling, supertall office tower in the heart of London's financial center has been under construction since 2008, but work is currently on hold. When complete, it will reach 941 feet and 64 stories. Overlapping rectangular glass panels on the exterior of the facade will give it a snakeskin appearance. Image courtesy Kohn Pedersen Fox The Pinnacle
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