RIBA exhibitions to celebrate 2012 Olympic construction

The RIBA is to host two free exhibitions celebrating the Olympics as part of the London 2012 Festival.

The first, Design Stories, The Architecture Behind 2012, will showcase drawings, images, videos and detailed models of key 2012 venues including the Olympic Stadium, designed by Populous, and the Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects.

The second, After the Party: The Legacy of Celebration, examines how one-off celebrations have resulted in some of the most innovative buildings and structures ever built.

Both will open at the RIBA’s Portland Place headquarters in London on June 25th.

A spokeswoman for the RIBA said of Design Stories: “The exhibition will draw back the layers of complex engineering and explore the raw ideas that inspired the architects involved.

“At its centre the exhibition will feature a stunning 14 metre graphic mural capturing the energy and contrasting styles of the new Olympic and Paralympic buildings.”

She added that other sporting venues and architects featured in the exhibition include the Water Polo Arena by David Morley Architects, the Handball arena by Make, Wilkinson Eyre’s Basketball Arena and the Velodrome by Hopkins Architects.

RIBA president Angela Brady said: “The RIBA is thrilled to be opening the doors of its magnificent Art Deco headquarters for the public to come and explore our exhibitions and watch the Games over the summer.

“At a time when the world is watching we want to celebrate the wonderful contribution architects have made to the Olympic and Paralympic sporting venues. I encourage everyone to and come and see how London’s great new buildings were conceived and created.”