Renderings Released for New 2020 Tokyo Olympic Stadium
The Japan Sport Council has revealed two proposed designs for the national stadium.
Designs A (top) and B (bottom).
Image courtesy Japan Sport Council
Design A
Image courtesy Japan Sport Council
Design A
Image courtesy Japan Sport Council
Design B
Image courtesy Japan Sport Council
Design B
Image courtesy Japan Sport Council
The Japan Sport Council has revealed two new designs for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic stadium. The council did not identify the architects' offices behind the proposals, which are being referred to as A and B, but plans to select the winner this month.
Design A, largely composed of wood and steel, would stand just over 160 feet tall and would insert the center sports arena below grade. Design B, slightly taller at almost 180 feet, would use significant glazing on the outer walls. Both schemes' budgets would be below $1.26 billion, and both proposals call for construction to be completed by the end of November, 2019.
The two more understated plans replace Zaha Hadid Architects’s original design for the complex, which was scrapped in July after controversy over its bombastic aesthetic, size, and budget—which grew to more than $2 billion. Hadid defended the plan and later attempted to partner with a Japanese firm to develop a new, more cost-effective design, but formally pulled out of the competition in September.
The Associated Press reports that Kazumi Ohigashi, president of the Sport Council, said the new facility would put “athletes first” while emphasizing accessibility for the disabled, elderly, and children: “We will work to ensure a stadium that will be loved by all.”
An earlier version of this story misidentified the president of the Japan Sport Council as Kazumi Daito, based on a report from the Associated Press. A correction has been made to Kazumi Ohigashi.
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