Commonwealth Games kit ‘inspired by new Birmingham buildings’

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The official uniform for Commonwealth Collective volunteers at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Source: Birmingham 2022

The official uniform for Commonwealth Collective volunteers at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Source: Birmingham 2022

The official uniform for Commonwealth Collective volunteers at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Source: Birmingham 2022

The AZPML-designed redevelopment of Birmingham New Street Station

Mecanoo's Library of Birmingham, seen behind the city's grade I-listed Hall of Memory in Centenary Square, designed by S N Cooke and W N Twist and completed in 1925

Source: Polyrus / Flickr

The Bullring, with Future Systems' lauded Selfridges building at the right

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Organisers of this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have unveiled the uniform for 14,000 volunteers and the event’s workforce, which is said to have drawn inspiration from local landmarks and architecture.

Max Jimminson, uniforms manager at Birmingham 2022, said design motifs were taken from Dutch practice Mecanoo’s Library of Birmingham, which opened in 2013, and Alejandro Zaera-Polo’s Grand Central redevelopment of the city’s New Street Station, which opened in two years later.

“We drew inspiration from local landmarks and architecture to create authentic and eye-catching designs,” he said.

“The uniform features patterns from the iconic Library of Birmingham design and waves inspired by the architecture of Birmingham’s Grand Central and Bullring building. These are included on all upper body garments, such as the polo shirt, gilet and waterproof jacket.”

The redevelopment of the 1960s Bullring Shopping Centre, which completed in 2003, was overseen by Benoy. However its most lauded element – the Birmingham branch of Selfridges – was designed by Amanda Levete and Jan Kaplický at Future Systems.

The Commonwealth Games runs from July 28 to August 8.