A Sustainable Alternative Proposal for the 2006 Turin Olympic Games: Facing post-Olympic reuse with a circular economy approach

The Olympic Games are a mega-event that can have a profound influence on the development of a hosting city. As the games grew bigger it became necessary to stage new architecture and cities used this opportunity to push forward future development programs. But new constructions are not always successful in following this aim due to past Olympic project requirements, time constraints and budget overruns. This is the case of the Olympic Village in Turin, composed of both the former General Market and the Athlete Village, which fell into disuse right after the end of the 2006 Winter Games. This thesis wants to address the difficulties faced in changing their functions for post-Olympic uses with an adaptable approach coming from the circular economy field, while also redeveloping the whole area learning from the mistakes made since then. Our work takes a scalar perspective, from the masterplan to the internal distribution of the building, and it uses specifically designed readymade panels for internal distribution that allow for adapt to as yet unknown housing, student residence and office uses. Sports facilities, mixed-use commercial spaces and an extensive urban courtyard will complete the city block.