Japan unveils design for 2020 Olympic stadium … again

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has announced the new design for the country’s controversial National Stadium, which will be the focal point for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

It follows the scrapping of a high-profile plan by architect Zaha Hadid earlier this year.

“Today, the Japan Sports Council reported that Plan A was chosen for the new National Stadium design,” Abe said Tuesday, referring to the latest proposal by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and Taisei Construction Corporation.

“The ministerial meeting has checked the selection was made in an appropriate manner. This is an excellent plan that satisfies the principle philosophy, construction, deadline and cost of the Olympic plan.”

The steel and wood concept resembles traditional Japanese temples and stands at a relatively short 50 meters (164 feet) with its main sports field sunken under the ground. The stadium is estimated to cost 154 billion yen ($1.26 billion) and will accommodate 80,000 people.

Tokyo Olympic Stadium, designed by Zaha Hadid, artist impression.

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Related video Japan cancels controversial Olympic stadium

Abe urged the new main stadium to be the “best in the world,” representing Japanese-style design and providing a “legacy that we can be proud of for the next generation.”

Two designs were submitted earlier this month after original plans by Iraqi-British architect Hadid were scrapped in July. Her concept had attracted criticism with various prominent architects and the public saying it looked like a bike helmet or a turtle.

‘Not about design or budget’

While the government cited ballooning costs as the reason to reopen the stadium design bid – the costs of Hadid’s designs had at one point grown to 150 billion yen ($2.02 billion) from the original proposal of 162 billion yen ($1.31 billion) – a statement from Zaha Hadid Architects sent out after the new design was chosen argued that budget was not the true reason they lost the contract. They insisted they had made modifications to address financial concerns.

“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,” it said.

London Aquatics Centre, London, England by Zaha Hadid Architects —

Flick through the gallery to see buildings shortlisted in the World Architecture Festival's sport category. The London Aquatics Centre by Zaha Hadid Architects, appears above.

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, El Ain, Abu Dhabi by Pattern Design —

Pattern Design architects used the fractural geometry of palm tree fronds, to create the building's outer facade. "The stadium embodies our design principles of natural order, mathematics and visual harmony," says Pattern Design director, Dipesh Patel.

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, El Ain, Abu Dhabi by Pattern Design —

The parametric design, which rotates, allows fresh air to flow throughout the stadium. The stadium is the home of Al Ain Football Club, one of the leading clubs in the United Arab Emirates Pro League.

Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, El Ain, Abu Dhabi by Pattern Design —

One of Pattern Design's main challenges was to create a structure that could withstand the hot and dry climate of Al Ain. The sinuous and gravity-bending parasol roof is inspired by the Arabic headdress. The roof's design is a departure from traditional European stadium roofs -- which are intended for wetter climates. This one shades spectators, but allows for enough sunlight to hit the pitch. The firm is currently designing Al Rayyan Stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, Australia by NH Architecture —

Architects from NH Architecture observe that the dominant aesthetic of sports facilities are usually composed of steel trusses and generic concourses. The firm opted to create an arena that shifted away from the over industrial scale of stadium architecture. The pleated copper-penny roof is a standout feature.

Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, Australia by NH Architecture —

The upgrade of the Margaret Court Arena included the installation of a new facade, a retractable roof and additional seating to accommodate 7,500 spectators. The venue was completed in time for the 2015 Australian Open.

London Aquatics Centre, London, England by Zaha Hadid Architects —

The London Aquatic Centre is divided into three sections: a training pool, a competition pool and a diving pool. Jim Heverin, project director of the London Aquatics Centre, says the use of the facility was intended to last long beyond the London 2012 Olympics: "Architecture should add to the drama of an event and by doing so, encourage repeat usage and positive association with the facility."

London Aquatics Centre, London, England by Zaha Hadid Architects —

"It's hard to say how much a building can contribute to an athlete's performance, but it was undeniably a unique facility for the London Olympics. It made the athletes relaxed, inspired and able to perform to their best," says project director Jim Heverin. 10 athletes, including Michael Phelps, set new world records at the facility.

London Aquatics Centre, London, England by Zaha Hadid Architects —

The design incorporates energy efficient elements, such as a cooling system that converts rejected heat into a heating agent for pool water. The structure is built primarily using replacement materials such as recycled concrete. Natural light pours throughout the main pool hall.

San Mames Stadium, Bilbao, Spain by ACXT-IDOM —

This new stadium, which opened in 2013, replaced the old San Mames as home to the Athletic Bilbao football club. Principal architect Cesar Azcarate, speaks of the challenges of designing the new structure. "The case of San Mames is very particular and interesting. We had to make a new stadium to replace the legendary San Mames, which was over 100 years old. We had to be able to move all the magic and the atmosphere of the old stadium (known as the "cathedral" of the Spanish league) into a modern one. That was our main challenge, and I think we succeeded."

San Mames Stadium, Bilbao, Spain by ACXT-IDOM —

One of the design's key features is its dynamic facade. It was made using a repetition of twisted ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) -- a durable, highly transparent material. Clive Lewis, the senior director of AECOM Global Sport, points to the use of repeating patterns in facade treatment, as one of the trends in sports architecture.

"Stadiums are not only emotive places, but also epic places," opines architect Cesar Azcarate, who designed the new San Mames. "From the stadiums of the Ancient Greece, to the Roman Colosseum, these buildings have an important significance in cities and urban scale, but also in the behavior of people." Azcarate says architects should consider the building's scale, its iconic significance in a city, and the identity of the club to which it belongs, when conceiving its design.

Lidingövallen, Lidingö, Sweden by DinellJohansson —

The redevelopment of this facility was an initiative taken on by the IFC Lidingö Football club. The challenge of architects was to create an advanced and well-functioning sports center with limited budget means. Innovative multipurpose design concepts -- such as seating stands that double as a roof over a coffee shop, were employed.

Lidingövallen, Lidingö, Sweden by DinellJohansson —

One part of the building contains a coffee shop, meeting rooms and offices. The other contains changing rooms. The middle section splits the sections -- creating an entrance into the building as well as a gateway to the field.

Adelaide Oval Redevelopment, Adelaide, Australia by COX Architecture —

According to COX Architecture firm, The Adelaide Oval is a flexible event venue that is "distinctly South Australian." Aside from being the home to the Adelaide Football Club, the Oval hosts other entertainment, social activities and sporting events year round.

Adelaide Oval Redevelopment, Adelaide, Australia by COX Architecture —

Pavilions of bronze cladding, precast concrete and refined steel detailing compliment the stadium's natural surrounding landscape.

Steyn City Clubhouse, Johannesburg, South Africa by Boogertman + Partners Ltd —

The Steyn City Clubhouse is one of the smaller-scale entries in the World Architecture Festival sport category. The design intends to blur the lines between man-made structures and the natural landscape. Green roofs help the design blend into the surrounding parks, while also help to reduce heat gain.

Steyn City Clubhouse, Johannesburg, South Africa by Boogertman + Partners Ltd —

Some of the materials used in the building are recycled from the land itself. The cladding is made of gabion baskets filled with locally excavated rock.

Sports Centre Zaanstad-Zuid, Zaanstad, Netherlands by UArchitects —

Located in Zaanstad, in the Netherlands, the center's primary concept is its change in function between the day and night. During the day, the hall is used by schools. In the evenings, the hall is used as a training ground for sports associations. Other facilities include a cafeteria, a conference room and spectator stands.

Sports Centre Zaanstad-Zuid, Zaanstad, Netherlands by UArchitects —

Materiality is well articulated throughout the building. "The innovative use of materials gives the building a completely new meaning," says Emile van Vugt, founder of UArchitects. "The polycarbonate membrane is a big source of daylight and at the same time it opens the building in a subtle way. The polycarbonate is a modernistic skin that interacts in a new way with the context."

Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia by Populous —

This stadium was designed for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games. The design was influenced by the undulating forms of the nearby Caucasus Mountain range and the Black Sea coast.

Lugnet Ski Jumps, Falun, Sweden by Sweco Architects —

The Lugnet ski jumps in were renovated for the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The jump itself was first built in the 1970s. Sweco Architects modernized the jump to both suit athletic competitions and also function as a tourist attraction during other times of the year. The jump maintains its original silhouette with modern accents -- glass, concrete and galvanized steel.

Keep cool and carry on: How architects are redefining stadium design

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“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.”

It went on to say that construction would have already be underway if they had been allowed to develop the original design, and the new design risks not being ready in time for the 2020 Olympics.

Although the stadium will not be completed in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Abe has said it will be ready for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics. The project is due for completion by November 30, 2019 – 266 days before the Olympics opening ceremony.