Designed by Jackson Architecture, their proposal for the Japan National Stadium is a new stadium in a park, where nature is apparent and can be integrated. Car parking, buses, community and service facilities exist below the park: neighborhood recreation and health areas contribute to the excitement and atmosphere, inhabited every day. The first impression is of a large park, within which a large “ellipsoidal object is placed. More images and architects’ description after the break.
For cities, architecture provides representative cultural sounding, where gathering places become symbolic, beyond mere utilisation; where expressive civic confidence. An undulating ground plane is the first point of arrival from all sides of the city, and so is a new park, segregated from traffic. Access and arrival to the stadium embraces all public transport provisions, the six major train stations in particular. The two stations further south are a short walk away, and the routes shown in the Brief are recognised in this design. The siting of the Stadium reads as an Island, between surrounding roads.
A new enclosing bowl and translucent roof are lifted, so that the interior is seen from the outside. Struts support a series of cantilever roof sections which provide a ring of ‘water lily’ elements, organically inspired. Such segments are mimetic intentionally, like ‘wings of flight’ roofing the outer ring. Clad in EFTE will shelter and shade. A twin fabric is supported by a tubular steel tracery, a perimeter necklace structure that holds a compression ring in place above the field.
One idea is to float a cloud-like raft of helium balloons, each 23 metres in diameter. Its customary position some 300 metres above the roof, thus allowing grass to grow on the field below. As a signal for a 21st Century Stadium, the balloon can light up the night sky, a marker with images of great spectacle … atmosphere and excitement already apparent. The cloud removes heavy loads from the segmental fixed roof cantilever. It can be lowered to a closed position, (brought down by winch and cable) in several minutes.
A modern stadium is recognized now as a multi-cultural theatre in which excitement and atmosphere are inherently present, whichever event may be presented. Theatre, both content, and culture need the opportunity to stage the spectacular. Anticipation, high expectation and an atmosphere pertinent for the occasion is in demand. Illusionary film and kinetic theatrical effects transform the occasion and an “other world” is experienced.
On the west side there is a desire to connect across the Metropolitan road via an extended upper plaza reaching out to the Metropolitan Gymnasium to the south, the Garemunal Station potentially needs consideration, both stations lead to arrival areas on the east adjacent to Meiji Tinger Secondary Stadium.
Our sustainable design objective has been initiated by the idea of a meeting of the parklands to create a metaphorical landscape carpet on top of the stadium and retail functions that require only passive sunlight, thus allowing for a greater proportion of public open space and as much planting of trees as possible. Car parking is moved below the public concourses and so too vehicle and service zones to allow the ground plane to remain open to pedestrians, patrons and the public and it is envisioned the stadium precinct will become a green corridor between Shibuya Ward, Shinjuku Ward and Minato Ward and will essentially connect these parklands. Water retained and recycled from the roof water run-off will be used to water the park.
The stadium is designed to hold a flexible lifecycle, allowing for components to be replaced, recycled and renewed or added over time. Differing construction materials hold different life spans and the design is focused on the idea of utilizing these life cycles. The main stadium and podium structure are produced from concrete and steel to give the maximum lifespan possible and the additional components of roof, service areas and ancillary areas are designed to last up to and beyond 50 years. This allows for the stadium to grow and change over time and be re adapted to suit changing requirements.
The simplicity and straightforward bowl design and layout, allows for replaceable service pods to be removed, rebuilt and recycled if preferred. The stadium becomes a building that changes over time and responds to changing needs. The stadium bowl is designed to be naturally ventilated and open in plan to allow for maximum comfort to players and promote cross air flows at pitch level creating a venturi Effect. Player comfort is important and by lowering the bowl and creating a “cool sink” with the playing field, we enhance player comfort to promote their best performance.
A light weight roof has been designed to reduce resource use and lower costs. This create less of a financial impact and environmental impact. The roof has been designed with modularity and prefabrication in mind to again increase sustainability for the project. Passive solar design and the use of ETFE panels with PV cells over laid on the skin of the roof allows for patrons to be protected from the elements, enjoy diffuse natural daylight whilst the roof panels generate renewable energy from the sun.
Architects: Jackson Architecture Location: Tokyo, Japan Project Team: Daryl Jackson, Matthew Drysdale, Colin Wilson, Elaine Quek, Kon Iakovidis, Aaron Paris, Matt Myers, and Esther Parsons Architects in Association: Lacoste + Stevenson Project Team: Thierry Lacoste, David Stevenson Consulting Engineers: Arup Sydney Year: 2012
