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NEWS
Zaha Hadid cries foul as Tokyo 2020 stadium design is chosen
POSTED 22 Dec 2015 . BY Matthew Campelli
Kengo Kuma's design includes a track and field below ground level Credit: Japan Sports Council via Associated Press
Japanese architects Kengo Kuma have been selected to design the 80,000 capacity stadium which will be the centrepiece of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The design was selected by the Japanese government after it was put forward by the Japanese Sports Council as one of two shortlisted proposals last week.

Kuma’s design will cost ¥149bn (£806m, US$1.2bn, €1.1bn) and is due to be completed by November 2019. It will be built by construction giant Taisei Corp.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said the proposal was a “wonderful plan that meets criteria such as basic principles, construction period and cost”, but the decision was slammed by British architect, Zaha Hadid, who had originally been on board to design the stadium before Abe pulled the plug.

“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,” the company said in a statement.

“This is 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,” added the statement. “In fact much of our two years of detailed work and the cost savings we recommended have been validated by the remarkable similarities of our original detailed stadium layout and our seating bowl configured with those of the design announced today.”

Kuma’s design incorporates a combined steel and wood structure with a flat roof and greenery along its surrounding concourse. The 50m (164ft) structure was chosen by an expert panel over a proposal put together by a consortium which included Takenaka, Shimizu, Obayashi and Toyo Ito.

“The stadium incorporates the views of experts in the construction field and we are looking forward very much to using the new stadium as the centrepiece of the Tokyo 2020 Games,” said president of Tokyo 2020, Yoshiro Mori.
RELATED STORIES
  Zaha Hadid Architects question Japanese government's logic for Olympic stadium designs


The architects of the original Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium have accused the Japanese government of putting the legacy of the Games in jeopardy and overlooking several designers after it unveiled two new plans for the arena.
  Japan Sports Council unveils Olympic Stadium designs


Two stadium designs for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been revealed by the Japanese Sports Council.
  Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic cycling venues approved by IOC


The venue master plan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is slowly taking shape following the confirmation of four locations for the Games’ cycling events.
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NEWS
Zaha Hadid cries foul as Tokyo 2020 stadium design is chosen
POSTED 22 Dec 2015 . BY Matthew Campelli
Kengo Kuma's design includes a track and field below ground level Credit: Japan Sports Council via Associated Press
Japanese architects Kengo Kuma have been selected to design the 80,000 capacity stadium which will be the centrepiece of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The design was selected by the Japanese government after it was put forward by the Japanese Sports Council as one of two shortlisted proposals last week.

Kuma’s design will cost ¥149bn (£806m, US$1.2bn, €1.1bn) and is due to be completed by November 2019. It will be built by construction giant Taisei Corp.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said the proposal was a “wonderful plan that meets criteria such as basic principles, construction period and cost”, but the decision was slammed by British architect, Zaha Hadid, who had originally been on board to design the stadium before Abe pulled the plug.

“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,” the company said in a statement.

“This is 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,” added the statement. “In fact much of our two years of detailed work and the cost savings we recommended have been validated by the remarkable similarities of our original detailed stadium layout and our seating bowl configured with those of the design announced today.”

Kuma’s design incorporates a combined steel and wood structure with a flat roof and greenery along its surrounding concourse. The 50m (164ft) structure was chosen by an expert panel over a proposal put together by a consortium which included Takenaka, Shimizu, Obayashi and Toyo Ito.

“The stadium incorporates the views of experts in the construction field and we are looking forward very much to using the new stadium as the centrepiece of the Tokyo 2020 Games,” said president of Tokyo 2020, Yoshiro Mori.
RELATED STORIES
Zaha Hadid Architects question Japanese government's logic for Olympic stadium designs


The architects of the original Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium have accused the Japanese government of putting the legacy of the Games in jeopardy and overlooking several designers after it unveiled two new plans for the arena.
Japan Sports Council unveils Olympic Stadium designs


Two stadium designs for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been revealed by the Japanese Sports Council.
Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic cycling venues approved by IOC


The venue master plan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is slowly taking shape following the confirmation of four locations for the Games’ cycling events.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
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The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
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Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
DJW

David & Lynn Willrich started the Company over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual Department [more...]
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+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

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The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
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