Greater Paris Metropolitan Olympic Aquatic Center

In the heart of Saint-Denis, opposite the Stade de France, the Grand Paris Olympic Aquatic Center is set to be one of the major venues for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Designed to host diving, artistic swimming, and preliminary water polo events, it embodies a dual ambition: to meet the requirements of a global event while anticipating its future transformation.

Conceived by the firms Ateliers 2/3/4/ and VenhoevenCS, the project goes beyond mere sporting performance to offer a manifesto of architecture. The lines are clean, the volumes generous, and the space is flooded with natural light. The spectacular wooden frame, with a span of 90 meters, structures the space and asserts a strong architectural identity, symbolizing a low-carbon construction.

The complex is organized around three pools, including a modular pool with a diving area. This configuration guarantees great versatility, capable of hosting international competitions and everyday use. The stands are part of this evolutionary logic: 3,000 folding seats made of recycled plastic, saving 12.5 tons of CO₂, can be supplemented by 2,000 temporary seats. The 5,000 m² roof, equipped with 2,255 photovoltaic panels, transforms the building into a veritable urban solar farm.

Each construction choice reflects a clear desire: to make the Greater Paris Olympic Aquatic Center a showcase of environmental excellence and a facility designed for two timeframes: the intensity of the Games and the long term for the region.

Following the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Grand Paris Metropolitan Olympic Aquatic Center began its legacy phase, marking the transition from an event venue to a place for daily practice that is open and accessible to all. Designed from the outset to anticipate this change, the building has been reconfigured by our teams to meet the region's needs in a sustainable manner.

The spectacular capacity for international competitions has given way to an optimized layout for welcoming the general public, schoolchildren, and community groups. The aquatic areas have been adapted to promote swimming lessons while maintaining a high level of sporting excellence. The site is home to the French diving center and retains the capacity to host major events, such as the 2026 European Swimming Championships.

The legacy is also reflected in a diversification of uses. In addition to the pools, there are areas dedicated to complementary sports such as climbing, padel, and fitness, transforming the facility into a true metropolitan multisport center.

This hybridization enhances its appeal and broadens its audience, from high-level athletes to families. Far from being an Olympic relic, the project demonstrates the capacity of a facility