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Designed by the same office that designed Google’s headquarters, the village has green terraces that turn into outdoor study rooms and 30% of the apartments will have subsidized prices
Everyone has seen what happens to Olympic villages after the Games are over. Abandoned buildings, empty stadiums, structures that cost billions and are left unused. In Milan, Italy, they decided to do it differently. The Olympic Village for the 2026 Winter Games was designed from the outset to be transformed into student housing right after the closing ceremony.
There are 1,700 beds for university students, with rent 25% below market price.
Built of wood and delivered ahead of schedule
The village is located in the Porta Romana neighborhood, in southern Milan, on an old railway yard that was abandoned.
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The project was designed by the American firm SOM — the same one that designed iconic buildings like the One World Trade Center in New York.
There are six new buildings constructed of laminated wood, plus two restored historic buildings.
The entire project took 30 months and was delivered 30 days ahead of schedule.
Green terraces that turn into study rooms
The most beautiful detail of the project is the green terraces that connect the buildings like suspended bridges.
During the Games, these spaces serve as common areas for athletes.
Afterward, they will be transformed into outdoor study rooms, with plants, benches, and views of the neighborhood gardens.
The gravel used in the Olympic logistics will be replaced by trees and lawns.
Rent of 430 euros — 25% below market
The average rent will be around 430 euros per month, equivalent to approximately R$ 2,600.
This is 25% below the market value in Milan, one of the most expensive cities in Italy for students.
30% of the apartments will have subsidized prices, ensuring access for low-income students.
The conversion of athlete rooms into student rooms will take only 4 months — ready for the fall semester of 2026.
The most sustainable village in Olympic history
The buildings were constructed with cross-laminated timber, a material that emits much less carbon than concrete and steel.
The village has LEED Gold certification and meets the European standard for nearly zero-energy buildings.
- Construction in cross-laminated timber — lower carbon emissions
- Prefabricated facades and modular design to expedite construction
- LEED Gold and WiredScore Platinum certification
- NZEB standard — nearly zero-energy building
- 1,700 beds, exceeding the originally planned 1,400
Not every Olympic village needs to become a ruin after the Games. Milan shows that it is possible to build for sports while also addressing a real problem — the lack of affordable housing for students.
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