2010 Winter Olympics Showcase Alumnus’ Design Work

Ohio State architecture alumnus Ken Wiseman, who received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 1976 and 1978, respectively, served as the design principle for the speed skating venue that was a centerpiece for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The new, award-winning Richmond Oval in Richmond, British Columbia, is one of just a few speed skating venues in the world designed to serve multiple community needs after the completion of the Olympics.

In addition to providing design leadership, Wiseman was instrumental in the development of a long-term business plan for the project, which was completed on time and on budget. The Richmond Oval was honored with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada 2009 Awards of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture. The project also received the Sustainability Star award, presented by the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games Organizing Committee to recognize the innovative efforts Games partners and sponsors are taking to be sustainable.

Wiseman is a president and design principal with Cannon Design, a planning and design firm in Washington, D.C. He has more than 25 years of experience in design and project management, most notably for academic institutions, corporations and commercial clients. Among his other projects are the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and the Texas Christian University Student Recreation Center. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including American Institute of Architects Design Awards, the Air Force Design Excellence Award and the Architectural Record Public Interest Award, as well as the International Interior Design Association Gold Award. Wiseman is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Urban Land Institute, the Washington Building Congress and the International Association for the Design of Sports and Leisure Facilities.