Japan continues to move forward with the building of a National Stadium for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
A wooden lattice design from architect Kengo Kuma was named the winner of the National Stadium design competition, held by the country after moving on from Zaha Hadid in July. Last week, it was reported that the competition was down to two finalists, Kuma and fellow Japanese contemporary architect Toyo Ito.
Kuma’s design features an oval stadium with rings of trees and exposed terraces. The wood and steel roof resembles traditional Japanese architecture.
Rendering via Japan Sports Council (via Dezeen).
While the plans are intriguing enough, one of the main considerations of the design is simplicity. Zaha Hadid’s plan was scrapped because of how costly and ornate it was; Kuma’s is more orthodox, and more likely to not exceed the ¥153 billion ($1.27 billion) budget for construction, design and other work. Japan has a little more than four years to finalize, build, and complete Kuma’s design.
The general rumblings are that Japan wanted a Japanese firm to design the stadium. Hadid released a statement on Tuesday addressing that notion and the Kuma selection.
“We were honored to be selected to design a stadium that would enable Japan to welcome the world for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and bring the 2020 Olympic games to Tokyo, before becoming a new home for Japanese sport for many future generations,” Hadid said. “Sadly the Japanese authorities, with the support of some of those from our own profession in Japan, have colluded to close the doors on the project to the world.
“This shocking treatment of an international design and engineering team, as well as the respected Japanese design companies with whom we worked, was not about design or budget. In fact much of our two years of detailed design work and the cost savings we recommended have been validated by the remarkable similarities of our original detailed stadium layout and our seating bowl configuration with those of the design announced today."
Zaha Hadid's National Stadium concept. Rendering via Japan Sports Council
Related Stories
| Mar 1, 2012
Bomel completes design-build parking complex at U.C. San Diego
The $24-million facility, which fits into a canyon setting on the university’s East Campus, includes 1,200 stalls in two adjoining garages and a soccer field on a top level.
| Feb 24, 2012
Skanska hires Tingle as senior VP and national director for its Sports Center of Excellence
Tingle has worked in the architecture and construction industries for more than 30 years, and for the last 23 years, he has focused primarily on large-scale sports construction projects
| Feb 2, 2012
Shawmut Design and Construction launches sports venues division
Expansion caps year of growth for Shawmut.
| Jan 31, 2012
Fusion Facilities: 8 reasons to consolidate multiple functions under one roof
‘Fusing’ multiple functions into a single building can make it greater than the sum of its parts. The first in a series on the design and construction of university facilities.
| Nov 29, 2011
SB Architects completes Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa in China
Mission Hills Volcanic Mineral Springs and Spa is home to the largest natural springs reserve in the region, and measures 950,000 sf.
| Nov 11, 2011
Streamline Design-build with BIM
How construction manager Barton Malow utilized BIM and design-build to deliver a quick turnaround for Georgia Tech’s new practice facility.
| Nov 9, 2011
Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling Program recognized by Society of Plastics Engineers
Program leads the industry in recovering and recycling roofing membrane into new roofing products.
| Nov 1, 2011
Sasaki expands national sports design studio
Sasaki has also added Stephen Sefton to the sports design studio as senior associate.
| Oct 20, 2011
UNT receives nation’s first LEED Platinum designation for collegiate stadium
Apogee Stadium will achieve another first in December with the completion of three wind turbines that will feed the electrical grid that powers the stadium.
