Designing the Feel – 2032 Brisbane Olympics

With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic venues as the hot topic of conversation and the endless talk about infrastructure, sustainability, and legacy, I thought we’d just chime in with one word, “feel”. Now that we know where the stadiums and villages will be, we can start to understand how they’ll function long-term, and the impact they’ll have on the city’s and towns in Queensland. But when the doors open, when the crowds pour in and the athletes step onto the world stage—what will the experience feel like?

As designers, we know that the built environment shapes the emotional energy of a space. And while much of the focus has been on “where”, and I appreciate we still need to put shovels in grounds, I’ll flag this question for thought: How will colour, design, and atmosphere influence the way we experience the Games?

One of the biggest trends in event and interior design right now is the shift toward colours that feel natural, grounding, and seamlessly connected to their surroundings. We’re seeing earthy tones, soft clay hues, deep olives, warm sands, and sun-worn terracottas, sounds like Queensland doesn’t it!

This shift isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about how we experience space. The best-designed venues don’t overpower their environment; they work with it. Look at Howard Smith Wharves, where the built structures feel like an extension of the cliffs. What other venues are you working in around SEQ that feel the same? And, will Brisbane 2032 follow this path? I’m pretty sure we will see venues that blend seamlessly with the Queensland landscape—inspired by the sunbaked terrain, the browns of the river, and the golden warmth of our climate. 

Looking ahead to 2032

It’s impossible to predict exactly where design trends will go, but a few things feel certain:

• Sustainability won’t be optional—it will be expected.
• Technology will play a bigger role than ever in shaping experiences.
• The balance between “spectacle” and “subtlety” will be key.

We’re already seeing sustainability drive venue design, but will it extend to the full event experience? Will colour palettes reflect nature and place, or will we see flashy, high-tech environments that feel disconnected from Brisbane’s identity? Will crowds be engaged through immersive design, or will venues prioritise function over feeling?

Brisbane has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to set a new benchmark for Olympic event design—one that doesn’t just focus on infrastructure but on atmosphere, engagement, and identity.

So as we move toward 2032, I hope we see more conversations around colour, emotion, and engagement—not just where the venues will be, but how they will feel. Because in the end, that’s what people will remember.