As part of its London 2012 Olympics sponsorship, BMW Group has announced it is planning to build a floating showroom and provide 4,000 vehicles to transport athletes and officials during the Games.

Photo: a vizualization of the BMW Olympics showroom, from uk.autoblog.com

The showroom will feature two stores with a total surface of 800sqm and will be built on columns above the Waterworks river, situated between the Olympic Stadium and the Aquatics Centre. BMW has signed the British architecture firm Serie to design the structure, says the Autoblog. The top floor will house BMW’s eco-friendly vehicles, while the ground floor will present interactive exhibits which focus on the company’s sustainable initiatives.

The showroom is in the process of being built using steel and recycled content to emphasize BMW’s sustainability goals. Additionally, the venue will be cooled by filtered river water. BMW is predicting more than 8,000 visitors a day to its showroom.

Tim Abbott, Managing Director, BMW Group UK commented: «As a major investor, manufacturer and employer in the UK, BMW Group is deeply proud to be an official partner for Britain’s first Olympic & Paralympic Games since 1948.»

«This commitment to the UK is also reflected in our choice of a home-grown architecture practice to design our pavilion and we’re delighted that Serie’s final design reflects our commitment to sustainable thinking in such an innovative and eye-catching manner. We believe it provides a truly worthy addition to the Olympic Park».

Recently, BMW France has announced an open call for applications for the 2012 residency program for young photographers.