Olympic Games, a Belgian Olympic springboard

15/02/2022

Nicolas Godelet is not an athlete but he has his own way of representing Belgium at the Beijing Olympics. The Namur architect has won the unanimous approval of ski jumping enthusiasts by designing an Olympic ski jump.

Nicolas Godelet created a stir in Beijing with his "Big Air" (ski jump). What's so unique about it? Until now, the only thing used to support the ramp from which the skiers launch themselves was scaffolding. The architect and his colleagues from NG-LAB and Archisteel created a surprise with a completely innovative and secure structure that uses traditional Chinese elements. The result reflects the image of the Olympic Games, combining modernity and tradition, and local and international sporting culture. Beyond the technical and aesthetic feat, the structure has been designed from an ecological point of view and gives a new lease of life to an old factory.

The Belgian had more than one string to his bow to win over China. A UCL graduate, the "ingénieur polytechnicien" with a multidisciplinary background has acquired a broad vision of business through his travels. Fluent in Chinese, he soon integrated and has been living in China for about 20 years now, with many major projects under his belt. Nicolas Godelet is involved in the development of a new city, and he has no plans to stop there. His future projects include monumental sculptures (Qatar and Hainan), bridges and footbridges and the construction of a new Belgian embassy in Beijing.