Tokyo, 15 November 2012 - Tokyo 2020, Japan's bid to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, welcomed the announcement of the winner of a design contest to update and remodel Tokyo's Kasumigaoka National Stadium. Entry 17 designed by Zaha Hadid from Zaha Hadid Architects was selected for its innovative design and dynamic feel. The jury noted that the impressive architecture synthesises perfectly with the urban area surrounding the Stadium.
The Japan Sport Council (JSC), owner of the Kasumigaoka National Stadium, held the Design Competition to solicit plans for the updating and remodelling of the Stadium in preparation for IRB 2019 Rugby World Cup and other major public events. If Tokyo is selected as host of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the new Kasumigaoka National Stadium will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Athletics, Football and Rugby.
Zaha Hadid was selected by a jury as the winner from a short-list of 11 finalists. A total of 46 entries were submitted after the Design Contest was launched in July 2012.
Tsunekazu Takeda, IOC member and President of both the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and Tokyo 2020, said: "Japan's newly refurbished stadium will be the best of the best. It will have one of the largest spectator capacity in the world, and will also offer the finest hospitality. As for the athlete and spectator experience: the Kasumigaoka National Stadium will have a retractable roof. A state-of-the-art stadium like Kasumigaoka is another indication that Tokyo is ready to deliver a dynamic celebration that reinforces and renews the Olympic Values for a new generation."
Competition requirements included a design that offers:
- adjustable seating up to 80,000 ;
- a retractable roof;
- environmental-efficiency;
- consideration for the surrounding landscape and ease of traffic/transportation;
- the promise to be ready by March 2019.
The contest was overseen by world famous architect and Tokyo 2020 Council member Tadao Ando. He said: "The entry's dynamic and futuristic design embodies the messages Japan would like to convey to the rest of the world. I firmly believe that Japan ranks at the top in terms of architectural and technical expertise. A few decades ago, the world lauded Japan for quickly and efficiently creating the Kasumigaoka National Stadium, and I am confident Japan will once again be praised for this new stadium."
Zaha Hadid Architects, based in London, has created 950 projects in 44 nations and is led by Zaha Hadid, one of the world's most renowned architects. Hadid was the first woman awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004 for the Bridge Pavilion in Zaragoza, Spain. She also designed the unanimously praised London 2012 Games Aquatics Centre with its undulating roof inspired by water in motion.
Renovations to the Kasumigaoka National Stadium will be completed in March 2019, before the opening of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Tokyo. Organisers have no doubt that construction will be finished on time and on budget. JSC has set the construction budget at 130 billion yen ($1.62 billion).
"The Japanese culture enables efficiencies and stimulates impeccable organisation. We are confident that these principles will be applied in the rebuilding process of the new stadium. The coming months will be exciting as construction begins and the new stadium is realised," Takeda added.
Entry number 2, designed by Australia's Alastair Ray Richardson from Cox Architecture pty Ltd, ranked second and Entry number 34, designed by Japan's Kazuyo Sejima from SANAA+Nikken Sekkei Ltd, ranked third.
For more information contact: pressoffice@tokyo2020.jp
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