AQUA NEXUS

Olympic Stadium and Village System / Architectural Design
Pittsburgh, PA
Timeline
August - December 2024
Role
Olypmic Stadium Sole Designer
Programs
Rhino, Vray, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Aqua Nexus is an architectural and urban design proposal that reimagines Pittsburgh as the host of a Water Olympics, turning the city’s three rivers into an international stage for rowing, sailing, swimming and diving. The project centers on a contemporary Olympic stadium positioned along the Strip District riverfront, one of Pittsburgh’s most active neighbourhoods. The stadium’s design employs screen facades, expressive truss systems, and a pedestrian bridge that links five interconnected blocks, creating both a striking urban landmark and a welcoming civic space. Conceived with government support and global audiences in mind, Aqua Nexus extends far beyond the games themselves. After the Olympics, the facility is envisioned as a lasting legacy for the community, a hub for water sports, youth programs and recreational activities that enhances Pittsburgh’s riverfront identity. By combining bold architecture, world-class athletics, and long-term public value, Aqua Nexus positions Pittsburgh as a city where its rivers become not only a backdrop but the very heart of its cultural and civic life.
Precedent Study
Design generation of the Olympic stadium came from a hybrid merging of two precedent studies. Truss components taken from the Grand Palais Ephemere in Paris and bridge elements taken from the Rialto Bridge in Venice.
Iterative Process
Several iterations taken in merging the two precedents to form the program of an Olympic Stadium.