With Russia set to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, officials have already come up with a design to beat Vancouver, the 2010 Winter Games host city.

With breathtaking snow capped mountains that cascade into the sparkling sea, Vancouver was going to be a hard one to beat.

But Populus, a HOK spin-off, has designed a translucent new stadium to be the epicentre of the Games in Sochi, Russia. 

So far all we know is that it will have a shimmering, crystalline skin and lots of sustainability credentials. As for the rest and any kind of detail, um, stay tuned - the Russians are playing their cards close to their chests.

There are plenty of new and shiny towers here, a few cranes on the skyline and a bit of reno work going on thanks to the government's tax back renovation credit, designed to stimulate the economy.

Amid all the excitement, I spotted this down at the marina yesterday. Takes houseboat to the extreme eh? It had a little balcony, a clothes line out the front...all it needed were some weeds on the front lawn...

There were an amazing number of homely houseboats by Vancouver's Stanley Park, which makes me think maybe this could be something for out of work builders to have a go at.

At least it would mean there would be less of these types of houseboats roaming our ever dangerous oceans...