Populous has announced that it has been selected by the State Corporation ‘Olympstroy’ to design the main stadium for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The award marks the firm's 25th year of involvement in Olympic and Paralympic Games and the first time in Olympic history that one design practice has been responsible for two Olympic stadiums at one time, as Populous are also designing London's main 2012 Olympic Stadium.

The award of the Russian Stadium represents a strong success for the practise who in 2008 declared independence from parent company HOK Group through a successful management buyout. Populous are now thoroughly embedded within the Russian event, also designing the master plan and overlay plan for competition and non-competition venues and facilities.

"The main stadium design, in addition to the venue overlay plan we have prepared for the 2014 Games, delivers a wonderful vision for the winter Olympics, and a lasting sustainable legacy for Sochi," said John Barrow, Populous Senior Principal. "Its sweeping form responds to both its coastal location and mountainous backdrop, whilst its crystalline skin engages with its surroundings by day, and provides an iconic representation of the colour and spectacle of the games when illuminated at night. We are proud to be involved on such a level with Olympstroy."

The 40,000 seat pebble-shaped design boasts clear natural references with a semi-transparent, segmented skin resembling the wings of a dragonfly.