Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Cauldrons

Commissioned by Balich Wonder Studio on behalf of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Stage One approached us to collaborate on this landmark project. We knew it would be an opportunity to push the boundaries of integrated LED technology within a highly complex kinetic structure. Every element of the lighting system had to work seamlessly with the expanding and contracting mechanics of the cauldrons, while maintaining flawless visual performance in challenging winter conditions.

Over the course of just over a year, we worked closely with the wider project team to develop, prototype and deliver a bespoke LED solution that became an integral part of the sculptures themselves. More than 480 individual lengths of Sigma 96 LED tape were carefully manufactured, tested and installed across the two cauldrons, following the intricate geometry of the Hoberman-inspired framework. The result is a continuous network of light that enhances the architectural form, accentuates the movement of the structure, and draws the eye towards the Olympic flame at its centre.

The entire LED system was fully pixel-mapped and driven using LC Gigabyte controllers on the Advatek Pixel Platform, with an LC mapper system powered by Lightjams (LJLM). This sophisticated control architecture enabled every LED pixel to be individually addressed, allowing smooth gradients, dynamic animations and precisely choreographed lighting effects to flow effortlessly across each cauldron. The scalable system also ensured both cauldrons - located hundreds of kilometres apart in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo - could deliver identical visual performances.

Beyond the technology, this project was about collaboration. Working alongside Stage One, Balich Wonder Studio, designers, engineers and specialists from across the industry on a project of this significance challenged every discipline involved. From early prototyping and cable management to integrating the lighting within a moving kinetic structure, every detail demanded precision, innovation and meticulous execution.

Seeing the cauldrons come to life on the world stage, illuminating two host cities while framing one of the most iconic symbols of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, made every challenge worthwhile.