Stair Inspiration: Olympic House- The Unity Staircase

Olympic House, the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, stands as a remarkable case study in sustainable architecture, collaborative design, and the embodiment of Olympic values. Designed by Danish architecture firm 3XN in partnership with Swiss firm IttenBrechbühl, Olympic House serves as a consolidated space for 500 IOC employees, previously scattered across four locations.

Design Principles: 

Olympic House is built around five key objectives: movement, transparency, flexibility, sustainability, and collaboration. These principles directly translate the core values of the Olympic Movement into the built environment, creating a space that authentically reflects Olympism and the IOC’s role as a catalyst for collaboration.

Integration with the Surroundings:

Situated within a public park near the historic Château de Vidy and Lake Geneva, 3XN Architects approached the project with a focus on seamless integration with the natural and historical context. The design seamlessly transitions between the green public space and Olympic House, respecting the legacy of the Château while creating a striking architectural landmark for the local community.

The Utility Staircase: 

The standout feature of Olympic House is the Unity Staircase, which soars through the building’s full height, connecting the five floors through a central atrium. Referencing the Olympic Rings, this architectural marvel showcases the principles of active design. The oak staircase and its periphery create a central space for social activity, movement, and community building, while exhibition spaces, a cafeteria, and meeting rooms further promote a sense of collaboration among the 500 regular users.

Sustainability Achievements: 

Olympic House is a testament to the IOC’s commitment to sustainability and has earned its place as one of the world’s most sustainable buildings in the world. The construction process of Olympic House showcases exemplary practices in the circular economy. A remarkable 95% of materials from the former administrative buildings on the site were either reused or recycled, minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency. This achievement sets a pioneering example of sustainable construction practices within the industry.

As a result of this, the project was awarded LEED Platinum certification, the highest level of the international LEED green building program. It also achieved the highest (Platinum) level of the Swiss Sustainable Construction Standard (SNBS) and the Swiss standard for energy-efficient buildings.

Full credits to: 3XN/GXN
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