INTRODUCTION:
• The Richmond Olympic Oval is the
largest structure being built for the
Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
• Designed to accommodate the long track
speed-skating events, the building
features a 6 acre(24281.1 sq. m) free
spanning roof .
Client: City of Richmond
Architect: Cannon design, Toronto
Roof Structural Engineer: Fatt +
Epp partners, Vancouver
Construction start: May 2006
Construction end: December 2008
Construction Cost:$ 178 million
Capacity: more than 8000 people
DESIGN INSPIRATION:
Design concept:
Flow, Flight and Fusion
Elements of curved and linear forms were taken from the nearby Fraser
River and the wild birds (the heron). Architecturally, the curving roof
recalls a heron’s wing. The roofline of the Oval also mirrors the outline of
the stylized heron that is the centrepiece of the city’s logo.

Logo of City of Richmond

Heron symbolise ‘The graceful & elegant’

DESIGN
• The bones of the structure are created by 15 composite Glulam and steel arches which span
the 330ft (100m) across the building, resting on 30 enormous concrete buttresses.
• Each arch has a distinctly V-shaped hollow cross-section that allows various services to
pass through it.
• Spanning the 42ft (12.8m) between arches are prefabricated structural panels. These consist
of ordinary 2x4 lumber arranged geometrically to optimize both structural and acoustic
efficiency.
• The panel design is not only economical but provides a striking aesthetic for this high-
profile facility.

Elevation of Richmond Olympic oval