United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Park Union Bridge

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM) is a tribute to the Olympic and Paralympic movements with Team USA athletes at the center of the experience.

Integrated with the adjacent museum, the Park Union Bridge connects pedestrians and cyclists in southwest downtown Colorado Springs with America the Beautiful Park, helping re-invigorate long neglected urban precincts. The design of the bridge links it to the striking architecture of the adjacent USOPM.

The building itself is a flowing multi-level gallery experience with a taut skin wrapping four overlapping petal-like volumes. The skin is composed of metallic panels animated by the extraordinary light in Colorado Springs, producing gradients of color and shade that impart a sense of motion and dynamism. At the heart of the building is a dramatic multi-story arrival space with a large scale video display and glimpses to the activity above.

The building features interactive galleries, a state-of-the-art theater, and event spaces in a dynamic spiraling form that allows all visitors with or without disabilities to tour the facility together in a shared experience. The USOPM is considered one of the most accessible museums in the world.

A terraced plaza is at the heart of the museum complex, cradled by the museum building to the south and the cafe to the north. The plaza frames a postcard view of Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains beyond. With integrated amphitheater seating, the plaza is able to host outdoor events throughout the seasons.

Awards:
United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum received 2021 Award of Excellence, American Institute of Architects Colorado; Park Union Bridge received 2022 Award of Excellence, American Institute of Architects Colorado; The two projects together received 2024 Honor Award from the AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region

^{Photos ©Jason O’Rear}