Olympic Youth Development Center Haiti

The Olympic Centre in Haiti will be located north of Port-au-Prince. It will include outdoor sports fields (football, athletics, basketball/tennis/handball/volleyball), an indoor space for several disciplines (allowing competitive handball, volleyball and basketball matches), an indoor space for practising sports (such as judo, taekwondo, karate, boxing, weight training and table tennis), and some areas for training (classrooms, library with an internet room), administrative offices and general services such as changing rooms, public toilets, kitchen, storage rooms, etc. The project includes recreational and service areas specifically provided for in the general plan. A water tower will become a landmark for the entire Centre, providing drinking water while also collecting rainwater.

The site is organised around a central square that creates distinct sports quadrants, defined by footpaths and landscaped strips. This provides clear orientation landmarks for Centre users and allows for significant flexibility in the use of the sports fields. Around the outdoor fields, green hills become improvised bleachers and virtual separations between the different sports areas. The project proposes the incorporation of large wooded areas that can improve and regenerate the soil structure and combat the effects of desertification. The project provides large shaded areas to create protected and comfortable spaces between buildings and along footpaths, minimising the heat typical of the local climate. This is also reflected in the architecture of the buildings to allow the creation of shaded spaces that promote natural ventilation.