Global architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has completed the Athletes' Village for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan's Porta Romana district, finishing the project 30 days ahead of schedule after just 30 months of construction. The development, built on a former railyard, will serve as housing for Olympic athletes before being transformed into Italy's largest affordable student housing complex after the games conclude.
The Athletes' Village consists of six mass-timber residential buildings alongside two carefully adapted historic structures. Working with developer COIMA, SOM designed over 40,000 square meters of green spaces, community areas, and sports courts throughout the development. The project represents a unique dual-purpose approach to Olympic infrastructure, designed specifically for temporary Olympic use while planning for permanent post-games functionality.
"We were compelled by the opportunity to design a project that is purpose-built for one usage, and that then will transform for another permanent purpose – and to do so in the most sustainable and urbanistically responsible way possible," explained Colin Koop, SOM partner in charge of the project. He added that "ultimately, the village will become a vibrant, self-sustaining neighborhood built around principles of social equity, environmental commitment, wellness, inclusivity, and resilience."
The design draws inspiration from the site's industrial heritage and Milan's broader urban fabric. SOM created what they describe as a "porous urban block" that integrates public pathways and reflects various building typologies found throughout the city. The architects carefully considered the area's transformation from its railyard origins into a modern residential community while maintaining connections to its historical character.
Two historic structures on the site – the Squadra Rialzo locomotive workshop and the Basilico building – were preserved and adapted rather than demolished. SOM maintained the original structures and ground floors of both buildings, which will house cultural and economic organizations. The firm opened up the interiors of these buildings to showcase their original wood, masonry, and iron construction elements. "Dramatic yet respectful interventions within the buildings' interiors, like new timber roofs, mechanical systems, infrastructure for restaurant and community space, and art pieces, may also be undertaken," the studio noted.
The six new residential buildings feature flexible podium levels designed to accommodate different functions during and after the Olympics. During the games, these spaces will serve as support areas for athletes, including dining facilities, recreational spaces, and administrative functions. After the Olympics, they will be converted to student amenities such as study areas, social spaces, and services. Communal terraces positioned on either side of the campus provide shared outdoor spaces while offering privacy for residential units from street-level activity.
Following the conclusion of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the entire village will undergo conversion to become Italy's largest affordable student housing development. The transformed complex will provide 1,700 beds and will be ready to accommodate students for the 2026-27 academic year. "The Olympic Village sets a new benchmark for sustainability – not just in terms of its low environmental impact but for its enduring legacy after the Games, when it will provide high-quality, affordable housing for students," stated COIMA CEO Manfredi Catella.
Sustainability features prominently throughout the development's design and construction. The Athletes' Village incorporates passive cooling strategies to reduce energy consumption, extensive solar panel installations for renewable energy generation, and rooftop gardens that provide green space while improving building performance. The new residential buildings maximize the use of sustainable materials, featuring mass timber structural systems and low-embodied carbon facade materials that reduce the overall environmental impact of construction.
This Milan project joins a growing trend of Olympic Villages designed with post-games legacy in mind. Recent examples include mass-timber office buildings constructed for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and apartment blocks lined with terracotta tiles, also built for Paris 2024. The Milan Athletes' Village represents a significant step forward in Olympic infrastructure planning, demonstrating how temporary sports facilities can be designed from the outset for permanent community benefit while maintaining high standards for both athletic accommodation and long-term residential use.
