United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum

Client: United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum

The 60,000 sf United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum features 20,000 sf of galleries, a state-of-the-art theater, event space and café. Inspired by the energy and grace of Team USA athletes and the organization’s inclusive values, the building’s spiraling form ensures that from entrance to exit, visitors of all abilities can tour the facility together in a shared experience. From the earliest stages of design, the team consulted Team USA athletes, including Paralympic athletes and persons with disabilities, to ensure the most authentic and inclusive experience. The USOPM is considered one of the most accessible museums in the world and received the 2020 Grand Award from the International Association for Universal Design.

During guest registration, each visitor receives a keepsake Visitor Credential powered by RFID technology that automatically generates content specific to their accessibility needs, including audio-described video, text-to-speech screen readers, high contrast and larger font sizes. Ramps accommodate the side-by-side movement and shared experience of two visitors, guiding visitors down a gentle-grade downhill circulation path.

The project is targeting a LEED Gold sustainability rating, implementing strategies that include brown field redevelopment, exemplary performance credit for open space, and enhanced commissioning to ensure that all building systems are operating at maximum efficiency.

The team also designed the neighboring Southwest Downtown Pedestrian Bridge, a 250-foot curved steel structure that floats above an active railyard, connecting downtown Colorado Springs and USOPM to America the Beautiful Park, catalyzing remarkable urban transformation, as evidenced by an increase in tourism and investment.