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Déconstruction et réutilisation IOC / Luca Delachaux

In the international architecture competition launched by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), despite their best efforts none of the 12 renowned preselected architects found a way of reconciling the demands of the brief with the desire to keep the existing administrative buildings. The IOC therefore decided to demolish these buildings, except for the Château de Vidy, which is a historic monument classified by the Vaud Council of State. The IOC was then careful to ensure that the deconstruction process meant that at least 75 per cent of the materials could be re-used or recycled.

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Collaboration with the EPFL

For both operational and educational reasons, the IOC and the EPFL decided to work together, leading to the creation of a workshop entitled Youth for Reuse. Over the course of a week, the IOC hosted 25 architecture students, of different ages and nationalities, and asked them to study different possibilities for re-using existing materials, based on three themes: Legacy, the Youth Olympic Games 2020 and social and educational aspects. At the end of the workshop, around 40 original projects were put forward.

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Conservation of historic elements

The symbolic elements from the IOC headquarters were carefully dismantled and stored, so that they can be reinstalled in the new building. For example, once the building is complete, the marble arch will be placed near the point of interest where the public can find information about the history of the IOC in Lausanne and admire Olympic House. The marble cladding used inside the building has also been stored and will be re-used.

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Re-use of equipment

The IOC has used most of the office furniture and IT equipment for its temporary premises in Pully. Other material such as carpeting, toilet facilities and electrical equipment was carefully dismantled, and will be re-used for education and social purposes.

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