German architecture studio GMP Architekten has been selected to design a replacement for the roof of Roger Taillibert?s "controversial" Olympic stadium in Montreal for the studio's first North American project.
The ageing Olympic Stadium was designed by French architect Roger Taillibert for the 1976 Montreal Summer Games and features a now-iconic angled tower that suspends the roof from a series of cables.
GMP Architekten has been selected to replace the roof of the Montreal Olympic Stadium. Top image by Grauwald Studio and GMP Architekten
The structure consists of a ring of cantilevered concrete beams that wrap around the entire building and encircle a central oval-shaped roof.
The central portion was originally designed to retract, but proved to be "problematic" and was replaced with a non-retractable version in 1999, which has also required a number of costly repairs throughout the years. A team including GMP Architekten (GMP) and engineering firm SBP won a 2018 competition issued by Quebec officials to "reimagine" the stadium into a multifunctional arena, which includes renovating the roof, improving acoustics and introducing increased natural light into the interior.
"In their first North American project, the global architecture firm GMP has announced a major new project in Montreal," said the team. "The reinvention and re-engineering of the controversial and expressive Olympic Stadium created for the 1976 summer games.&quo...