david chipperfield architects' arena milano prepares for the 2026 winter olympics

"Set within Milano Santa Giulia, one of the city's most ambitious regeneration projects, the arena is conceived as an urban condenser. Through its elliptical form, the team at David Chipperfield Architects references historical precedents while accommodating the demands of large-scale events, from international concerts to sporting tournaments. Outside event hours, the project extends its role beyond spectacle, opening its surrounding outdoor spaces to everyday use by residents and visitors from across Milan."

"The building sits on a vast raised podium that occupies almost the entire site, slightly rotated to address arrivals from the west. A broad flight of steps draws visitors upward, culminating in a 10,000-square-meter piazza that functions as an extension of the public realm. This elevated platform is not only an entry sequence but also an event space in its own right, capable of hosting outdoor gatherings independently of the arena's internal program."

The Arena Milano is a 16,000-seat venue located within the Milano Santa Giulia regeneration district in south-east Milan, directly connected to high-speed rail and motorway infrastructure and slated to host events during the February 2026 Winter Olympic Games. The elliptical form references Milan's ancient Roman amphitheater while functioning as an urban condenser for sports, concerts, and cultural programs. The building sits on a vast raised podium rotated toward western arrivals, topped by a broad flight of steps leading to a 10,000-square-meter elevated piazza. Three concentric metallic rings clad in shimmering aluminum tubes appear to float above a parterre level with two seating tiers, and surrounding outdoor spaces are opened for everyday public use.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine