Morphosis wins Olympic contest

Santa Monica-based Morphosis has won a competition for the design of a new Olympic Village that will be part of New York’s bid for the 2012 Olympic games.

New York is one of five cities vying to host the games. The other remaining finalists are London, Paris, Madrid and Moscow.

In announcing the selection, New York City officials said they hope to build the housing complex regardless of the International Olympic Committee’s final decision, which is expected in July 2005.

Morphosis’ design includes 4,500 units that can house up to 16,000 athletes. Located in Queens, the complex is broken down into a series of low-rise apartment blocks with sweeping views of Manhattan across the East River. The proposal also includes a ferry terminal, sports facilities and a marina with restaurants and theaters, as well as a beach with volleyball courts.

The selection is the latest in a series of high-profile commissions Morphosis has won in recent years. The firm is also completing a General Services Administration headquarters building in San Francisco, a federal courthouse in Eugene, Ore., and the Caltrans District 7 headquarters building in L.A.

Nicolai Ouroussoff