Let the Games Begin!

In the spirit of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, here is a little tidbit about the amazing Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. It has an amazing park, whether you like the Games or not.

As you have probably learned by now, I love skiing and anything related to snow. On a recent Field Trip, we headed over to the Olympic Museum to check it out. I am a self-proclaimed fan of the Winter Olympics. I love to watch the skiing, boarding and those crazy luge riders. The Museum itself was a really big surprise.

They have all the usual paraphernalia related to sports icons. Lots of uniforms, shoes, skis, gear of all sorts. But it is architecturally pleasing and visually stimulating. The graphics are great, the wayfinding easy.

But it gets deeper than that. They go way back in history, showing Greek artifacts and explaining how they were used and what significance they had. That pleases the museum purists. Then, they have a really cool collection of medals. They are displayed in such a way that they easily convey all the cultural and site specific traditions that influenced the design of the medals. Something similar is done with the torches.

Basically, they start at the beginning and carry you all they way through Olympic history, keeping interest along the way. They also have a few films and photo montages that please the not-so-inclined-to-read-and-look-at-every-little-thing group.

Then I found the temporary exhibit on Vancouver. There are actually two or three exhibits. The first is an amazing collection of Canadian art including paintings, masks, sculpture and textiles. The next was a display of photographs taken by Canadian artists. And lastly, the sustainability exhibit.

I am sure that much of this exhibit was recycled and I love that. I mean that most of the material was probably used originally as presentation material when Vancouver pitched hosting the 2010 games. The exhibit systematically laid how exactly how and why the Vancouver Olympic Village and the actual Games are going to be greener than ever. I was really impressed. So much so that I really hope that they keep part of this exhibit and put it in the regular museum, as a cornerstone of the future of greener Games, greener everything. Go Team Canada!

Ever detail has been anticipated. Very little waste is produced without reuse or repurpose. The design of the village was founded on the fact that the village is not a temporary thing, but something that can add value to the community, long after the last souvenir stall closes up. A huge amount of money goes into constructing these villages, but the people of Vancouver will really benefit from the outcome. Can't wait to tune in a see how it all came together.

Then we headed outside. The Olympic Museum is situated on a hill, right next to Lake Geneva. The buildings are mostly modern and terraced. The main roof provides a gathering space and viewing platform. The roof edges are green. The transition between the buildings and architecture are obscured by placing the paths near the woodline at the edges of the park. The lower, main terrace features more Canadian art, including a totem as well as the famous Cauldron.

Pathways lead through trees, water features and sculpture, with lawn as a backdrop. A little information is given about each sculpture, but not too much. All the while, Lake Leman, shrouded in fog or not, beckons beyond. I visited on a rather rainy, dreary day, so the mountains that surround the lake were not so visible, but the vastness of the landscape didn't fail to impress.

The Olympic Museum opened in 1993. The Olympic Park was designed by Spanish landscape architect Jose Lardet. The sculptures come from all over the world. My favorite was Citius Altius Fortius by Miguel Berrocal. It is a torso which slowly opens, spins and closes, in six different pieces.

Some relics from the property's history remain onsite, integrated into the landscape, reminding the viewer of its past. Many of the trees predate the Museum. A 100 year old Oak was preserved.

At the foot of the hill, you are greeted by the Olympic Fountain and the massive lake.

This place was really well done, just like I hope the Vancouver Games will be. I can't wait to watch the Opening Ceremonies!