Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid proposed turning 60,000 stadium seats into wheelchairs after the Games to provide wheelchair access and ship the chairs to developing countries. The design team worked with Whirlwind Wheelchair International to create seats that could be converted into wheelchairs to meet accessibility needs long-term while serving as Olympic seating short-term.

5. Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic
Games emphasized environmental sustainability,
social impact, and Olympic legacy.
Asked by the 2016 committee to propose how
to repurpose elements of the main stadium, the
design team partnered with Whirlwind Wheelchair
International and suggested turning 60,000 seats
into wheelchairs.

6. The team created stadium seats that met long-term
requirements first—wheelchair seating—and
short-term requirements second—Olympic
seating. Post-Games, the city would ship the
chairs to developing countries using Whirlwind’s
extensive distribution network.