MBI was selected to provide master planning and architectural design for the Olympic whitewater venue used during the 1996 Summer Olympics. The project included two comprehensive master plans for the upper and lower portions of an extended site along the Ocoee River.

The master plan accommodated up to 15,000 spectators, Olympic athletes, coaches, judges, and international media along a U.S. highway corridor. Following the Olympic Games, the site transitioned into long-term public use as a Visitor Center managed by the United States Forest Service. Site circulation and support facilities—including comfort stations, concession areas, seating, and viewing zones—were carefully designed to protect the sensitive natural environment while supporting shared use by the U.S. Forest Service, TVA, the State of Tennessee, and the local municipality.

At the heart of the venue, the Ocoee Whitewater Center building served as the logistical hub and VIP viewing area during the Olympics. Today, it operates as a public visitor center. The stone and timber structure presents a modest, single-story profile at arrival and opens dramatically toward the river gorge beyond. Inside, expansive spaces framed in natural timber connect seamlessly to observation decks, patios, and views of the river.

The project successfully balances large-scale event planning, environmental stewardship, and adaptive reuse—creating a lasting legacy from an Olympic venue.