The renowned architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has completed the design and construction of the Olympic Village for the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Located on the former Porta Romana railway yard site in Milan, the innovative development is nearing completion and is scheduled for handover to the Milano Cortina Foundation this fall, well ahead of the February 2026 Games.
The project represents a groundbreaking approach to Olympic infrastructure by serving dual purposes throughout its lifecycle. During the Games, the village will house Olympic athletes in comfortable, modern accommodations. Following the conclusion of the Winter Olympics, the entire complex will undergo a transformation into permanent urban housing, specifically student and affordable housing units that will serve Milan's long-term housing needs.
The architectural design consists of six newly constructed residential buildings alongside two carefully restored historic structures that honor the site's industrial heritage. This combination will accommodate athletes during the Olympic period, then transition into student housing featuring 1,700 beds—exceeding the originally planned 1,400 units. Additional nearby structures will be converted into affordable housing options for Milan residents, addressing the city's ongoing housing challenges.
At the heart of the development lies the Olympic Village Plaza, designed as a vibrant central public space that will host diverse programming throughout its lifetime. The plaza will feature commercial establishments, hospitality venues, outdoor markets, and community events, creating a dynamic gathering place for both Olympic visitors and future residents.
SOM's design philosophy draws inspiration from Milan's rich architectural heritage, incorporating the scale and materiality characteristic of the city's historic buildings while employing a contemporary design language. The ground-floor spaces have been conceived with adaptability in mind, capable of supporting various cultural and commercial uses as community needs evolve over time. Communal terraces, enhanced by vertical greenery installations, provide outdoor gathering and study areas while contributing to the development's environmental sustainability goals.
Sustainability stands as a cornerstone of the project's design approach. The development meets Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) requirements through innovative construction methods and materials. The residential buildings utilize mass timber construction techniques, while facades incorporate low-embodied carbon materials to minimize environmental impact. Comprehensive energy strategies include solar panel installations, rooftop gardens for natural insulation and stormwater management, passive cooling systems, and advanced stormwater collection infrastructure. These integrated systems ensure that more than 30 percent of the site's total energy demand will be generated on-site.
The village's urban planning follows the natural rhythm of Milan's surrounding streetscape, introducing new pedestrian pathways and enhanced connections to neighboring districts. This approach ensures seamless integration with the existing urban fabric while improving accessibility and walkability throughout the area.
Historic preservation plays a significant role in the development's cultural identity. The historic structures located on the southwestern corner of the site, adjacent to Via Giovanni Lorenzini, have been meticulously preserved and adapted for modern use. The restoration process deliberately exposes original masonry, wood, and iron elements to highlight and celebrate the district's industrial heritage. The thoughtful integration of these heritage buildings within the contemporary complex establishes a meaningful dialogue between past and present, positioning the Olympic Village as both a cultural landmark and a forward-thinking urban district.
Through its carefully layered programming and long-term vision, the Milano Cortina Olympic Village aims to create far more than a temporary venue for international competition. By combining athlete housing, expansive public spaces, and diverse commercial amenities with a sustained focus on community building and urban development, the project proposes an entirely new model for Olympic infrastructure—one that extends meaningful social and environmental impact well beyond the conclusion of the Games.
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled to run from February 6 to 22, 2026, will make history as the first Winter Olympics hosted across multiple cities and regions. The Games will span the regions of Lombardy and Veneto, as well as the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, showcasing Italy's diverse landscapes and urban centers.
Preparations for the Games have catalyzed significant urban development projects throughout Milan. Among these major initiatives, David Chipperfield Architects Berlin, in collaboration with engineering firm Arup, has completed the design of the Milano Santa Giulia Arena, which will serve as one of the primary Olympic venues. Additionally, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), working in partnership with Atelier Verticale, has recently topped out CityWave, an impressive 73,000-square-meter office complex constructed on the former Fiera Milano fairgrounds site. These projects collectively represent Milan's commitment to leveraging Olympic preparations for lasting urban improvement and modernization.
