October 11, 2004

	Images Courtesy Paris 2012

On September 27, the promoters of Paris as the next venue for the 2012 Olympics, Paris 2012, announced the winning design in the Olympic Landmark International Architecture Competition. In partnership with RFR engineers Henry Bardsley and Jean-François Blaselle, Explorations Architecture’s design for an inflatable construction beat off firms from around the world. The project was selected by a 19-member jury, which included Shigeru Ban, Peter Cook and Jean Nouvel. The winners share a top prize of $12,400 (10,000 EUR).

The winning design consists of 17 inflatable rings made of synthetic material. Appearing to lift off into the air, the top five rings are in the Olympic colors. Explorations Architecture’s two principal architects Benoît Le Thierry d'Ennequin and Yves Pagès designed "a temporary and clearly visible ‘playful monument’, which fits into our work into light structures and the interaction between architecture and nature." A visitor’s platform at 30 meters will give panoramic views over Paris. Still to be worked out is the structural engineering that will allow the tower to move in the wind.

Early next year, the Olympic Landmark will stand temporarily in Les Batignolles, the site of the Olympic Village should the capital be selected to host the Olympics in 2012.

The Pavilion de l’Arsenal, the competition organizers, however, is being criticized by 45 firms. The architects claim that technical difficulties prevented them from emailing the organizers their competition entries in time to beat the September 6 deadline. In a written response to the architects who are contesting the rejection of their design proposals, Paris 2012 replied: "no technical or operating problems occurred during the reception of the proposals."

Other recent projects by Benoît Le Thierry d'Ennequin and Yves Pagès – Explorations Architecture’s two principal architects – include the shell-like stage for the 2004 International Piano Festival in La Roque d’Antheron. Close to completion is their air-traffic control tower at Charles de Gaulle airport. The firm’s Saint-Cloud Park follies are due to be completed in 2005.

The provisional budget for the Olympic Landmark is $1.12 million (900,000 EUR). The host of the 2012 Olympics will be announced in July 2005.

Website of architects who missed the September 6 deadline: http://www.depites-repere-olympique.com Exhibition of all Olympic Landmark projects: Pavilion de l’Arsenal gallery in November 2004.

Robert Such

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