The Olympic Stadium in Munich, an iconic symbol of modern architecture, was designed by the architect Günter Behnisch and his firm, in collaboration with structural engineer Frei Otto.

It was built for the 1972 Summer Olympics and completed in 1972, making it a groundbreaking structure of its time. The design is particularly famous for its innovative use of a tensile membrane roof, which spans over the stadium in a delicate, almost spiderweb-like pattern. This design not only added to the stadium's striking visual appeal but also introduced a new era of stadium construction, emphasizing transparency and lightness.

Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by the stadium’s unique design. The glass roof, with its ethereal quality, creates a sense of openness and connection to the sky, a feature that has always drawn me in. The opportunity to capture this architectural marvel in black and white photographs is one I’ve liked, its dynamic lines and graceful curves lend themselves perfectly to the contrast and texture that monochrome photography offers. The spiderweb-like appearance of the roof, intricate yet light, has always seemed to hold a certain artistic mystery, evoking a sense of both modernity and nature’s organic forms. It’s a place that continues to inspire me and almost every time I go to Munich, I make it a point to visit it.

Foto attribution: Jorge Roan and Markus Spiske via Wikimedia Commons