Olympic Sunshades
A sunshade is a device that provides protection from the sun by creating shade using a large fabric canopy stretched over the user. It is similar in shape to an umbrella, which protects against rain, but is not necessarily waterproof¹. The Olympic Parasol is an oversized parasol, designed to shade outdoor bleachers and provide better climate comfort for people on the edges of sports fields. Its shape is inspired by the structural cantilevers of the Olympic Stadium and the triangulation of its roof.
The challenge of repurposing the components of the Olympic Stadium's roof is extraordinary given the large number of items of different types. The pieces of this gigantic puzzle can, however, be classified into two categories: steel components and membranes. The former have the great advantage of being recyclable. Recycling steel yields significant savings in energy and raw materials compared to manufacturing steel directly from ore. The existing roof thus contains 922 tons of steel that can feed the circular economy for this material. Unlike steel, recycling membranes is problematic. According to major suppliers, membranes are currently difficult to recycle. With a view to optimization, we have therefore focused our efforts on developing a concept that, above all, allows for the reuse of the 42,000 m² of available membranes.
Individually, our umbrella concept aims to use approximately 70 m² of reused membrane and one ton of recycled steel. That said, beyond its initial purpose focused on reuse, our concept helps revitalize existing sports facilities and highlight park bleachers as a gathering place. People gather there to enjoy a sporting event as spectators or players. Outside of scheduled sports events, it is an inviting space that citizens can make their own in various ways: for a conversation, a moment of relaxation, an outdoor class, and more. In short, a place that has the potential to align, in many ways, with the Olympic Movement, which aims to promote sport, culture, and education, with a view to a better world. Ultimately, we envision more than 500 Olympic Umbrellas spread across Quebec. This would be a magnificent legacy for the entire Quebec community and a new chapter in the history of the Olympic Stadium.
(From competitor's text)
(Unofficial automated translation)
