- The Olympic Games are an important occasion to give way to a new era for a city. As for all events of such dimensions, during the phase in which the occurrence will take place, the city’s urban spaces will be populated by a colourful melting pot of people from across the world. This event of such great significance is not just an opportunity to show the world an image of Rio and of Brazil in general that is revived and of great impact - it is also destined to leave an imprint, a new mark upon this territory and in the memory of its inhabitants and visitors. The Barra da Tijuca Formula 1 circuit has been abandoned and will give way to a new symbolic moment for the citizens of Brazil. The legendary feats of Nelson Piquet Ayrton Senna, that will continue to live on in the memory of Brazilians, will be added to those of the athletes that will compete during the games. This triangular spur that is the Barra Tijuca will continue to symbolise sport and the challenge to overcome one’s own limits. The design for this area, which has been for years characterised by the sinuous curves of the circuit, has been conceived with the aim of creating the necessary conditions for the formation of a new site identity. From Senna’s magical circuit to the place where the 2016 Olympic Games will take place, the shapes impressed upon this ground mark a link between territory and collective conscience. The five Olympic circles that give the event its identity become, in the new plans for this place, the symbol of a new reached goal. Date: 2011 Place: Rio de Janeiro, Brasile Client: Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro Programme: Olympic Village masterplan Net area: 118ha Phase: Competition Cost: undisclosed With: M. Neves Nogueira, Compagnia del Progetto, F. Panzini, fa-ctory, -scape. Video: Stack Render. Music: Centro Ricerche Musicali
