11 bids shortlisted for Tokyo Olympic Stadium project

The Japan Sport Council (JSC) has announced that 11 proposals are in the final bidding round for the contract to redevelop the Kasumigaoka National Stadium in preparation for the country's staging of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and role as part of Tokyo's bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The council launched an international design competition for the contact in July and this week announced that 11 projects, including a concept of an underground stadium, had been shortlisted from an original 46 applications. The successful bidder is expected to be revealed at the end of November and jury chair, world-renowned architect and Tokyo 2020 council member Tadao Ando, said that it is the Sport Council's intention to develop a venue that will set a new standard for stadium design.

Ando explained "the new National Stadium must provide a solution to many difficult problems.

"The site conditions pose a challenge in requiring an enormous facility for 80,000 people to be composed spatially into a narrow site. The project is expected to not only organise the surrounding traffic, manage the circulation of large bodies of people, and offer an exciting experience for spectators, but also to demonstrate the technology of the highest level to support an operable roof and adjustable seating that will be needed to facilitate a multi-layered programme comprising of both sporting events and cultural activities.

"It should establish a dialogue with its physical context, which includes sites such as the Meiji Shrine, and also be equipped with advanced environmental systems that will take into consideration the global environment. Additionally the project must run on a short schedule in order to be ready for hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup."

In opting for remodelling rather than rebuilding, the JSC said it aims to maintain the stadium's role as a centre for sport, culture, and art in Tokyo while upgrading the hospitality services available and expanding its functionality. The Council has outlined that the successful design should balance the preservation of the venue's important historical legacy with the addition of leading-edge amenities.

Built for the 1964 Olympic Games, the JSC plans for the new stadium to re-open by 2019 with an increased capacity of 80,000. Redevelopment is expected to cost Y130 billion (US$1.65 billion).

Explaining the selection process, Ando added "in the first-round review the jury committee considered the proposals from a variety of aspects and selected 11 projects that present visions for overcoming these challenges and carry messages that will announce the coming of a new age."

Sydney-based Cox Architecture, in partnership with with Arup, are among the 11 projects on the shortlist.

A statement from Cox read "our design represents an evolution of sports and entertainment environments as key cultural and social event platforms for public life. Conceived with Arup, our design synthesises traditional Japanese craft with a structurally light environmental enclosure. This enclosure utilises the inherent efficiency of the egg form, employing a diagrid structure over an elliptical shell. Within the enclosure are a series of segmented, crafted timber stand elements.

"New environmental technologies feature active energy systems and internal verdant sky gardens. The operable photochromatic glass roof incorporates new materials and technologies allowing control over internal light levels. Operable ground platforms and stands reconfigure to optimise for rugby, soccer, athletics and concerts.

"This simple and elegant form blending craft, technology and environment, symbolises a deep Japanese cultural affinity for purity of form and nature."

Populous, with a regional office in Brisbane, has also been shortlisted.

For more information go to www.jpnsport.com/en/index.html