After a challenging year for Zaha Hadid Architects that has seen the firm's design for the £1.3 billion Tokyo Olympic Stadium scaled back over concerns about spiralling costs (before being scrapped altogether by the Japanese government), the firm have hit back with a 23 minute-long film arguing the case for the controversial design to go ahead.
Spelling out the practicalities of its vision, the firm's movie promises that the design, which has been in development for two years already and cost the Japanese government ¥1.47 billion in fees, is ready to start construction on site this year and will be completed for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, as well as the test events before the summer Olympics in 2020. 'To start the design from scratch is an unnecessary risk that we think the government should reconsider if its aim is to achieve a lower price than ¥252 billion,' the firm says.
The architects suggest that introducing more competition between the contractors could help to reduce costs further, as well as allow for the implementation of a time-saving and cost-cutting parallel construction approach. '¥252 billion is the current price in Tokyo for a basic 80,000 [seater] stadium on that site,' the video states. 'It should also be understood that the immovable deadlines [for events] such as the Olympics, combined with a limited competition in the market place create inflated prices. The determining factor in the price is the market and the demand on materials and labour. The design is not the determining factor in these circumstances. The design should be seen as the only way to achieve value for money in the market.'
As well as the practicalities, the film confronts the criticism it has received for being at odds with its context by offering enticing new renders and fly-throughs while detailing its references to Japanese culture – a silhouette inspired by traditional Japanese landscape bridges, flower petal geometry, and Japanese timber louvres and pedestrian walkways are just a few that are highlighted. Design decisions and details are explained in depth, from lighting to roof dimensions and shape, and how they will impact upon the surrounding environment.
The firm hopes that the video, accompanied by an explanatory booklet, will 'help the public understanding of the project and debate on the next steps for the New National Stadium'. Whether this last ditch effort can reverse the government's decision remains to be seen.
The film highlights the scheme's practicalities, stating that the design is ready to start construction on site this year and will be ready for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, as well as the test events before the summer Olympics in 2020
The new stadium design has been in development for two years already and cost the Japanese government ¥1.47 billion in fees to ZHA
In the film, the firm states, 'To start the design from scratch is an unnecessary risk that we think the government should reconsider if its aim is to achieve a lower price than ¥252 billion'
The architects suggest that introducing a new contractor bidding process could help to reduce costs further, as well as allow for the implementation of a time-saving and cost-cutting parallel construction approach
Defending itself against the criticism of spiralling costs, ZHA explains, 'The determining factor in the price is the market and the demand on materials and labour. The design is not the determining factor in these circumstances. The design should be seen as the only way to achieve value for money in the market'
As well as highlighting the practicalities of going ahead with the proposed design, the film confronts the criticism the scheme has received for being at odds with its context
While enticing renders and fly-throughs provide new perspectives, the film also highlights the scheme's references to Japanese culture
Design decisions are explained in great detail – from lighting to roof dimensions and shape, and how they will impact upon the surrounding environment
The firm hopes that the video, accompanied by an explanatory booklet, will 'help the public understanding of the project and debate on the next steps for the New National Stadium'
INFORMATION
Imagery courtesy Methanoi
-
Rachel Whiteread creates silver collection for Puiforcat inspired by corrugated cardboardThe Turner Prize-winning artist reinterprets imperfection in a new silverware collection with French maison Puiforcat
-
Meet Malak Mattar, the Palestinian artist behind the 'Together for Palestine' concert at London's Wembley ArenaThe London-based artist curates a landmark concert of music and art in support of Gaza, alongside Brian Eno, James Blake, Jamie xx, Neneh Cherry and more
-
A new coffee table book proves that one designer’s trash is another’s treasureThe Rizzoli tome, launching today (16 September 2025), delves into the philosophy and process of Retrouvius, a design studio reclaiming salvaged materials in weird and wonderful ways
-
Oystra is ZHA’s sculptural vision for living in the United Arab EmiratesMeet the team translating ZHA’s bold concept for the new development into ‘a community elevated by architecture’ – Dewan Architects + Engineers and developer Richmind
-
A new Tadao Ando monograph unveils the creative process guiding the architect's practiceNew monograph ‘Tadao Ando. Sketches, Drawings, and Architecture’ by Taschen charts decades of creative work by the Japanese modernist master
-
A Tokyo home’s mysterious, brutalist façade hides a secret urban retreatDesigned by Apollo Architects, Tokyo home Stealth House evokes the feeling of a secluded resort, packaged up neatly into a private residence
-
Landscape architect Taichi Saito: ‘I hope to create gentle landscapes that allow people’s hearts to feel at ease’We meet Taichi Saito and his 'gentle' landscapes, as the Japanese designer discusses his desire for a 'deep and meaningful' connection between humans and the natural world
-
Campaigners propose reuse to save Kenzo Tange’s modernist ‘Ship Gymnasium’ in JapanThe Pritzker Prize-winning architect’s former Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium is at risk of demolition; we caught up with the campaigners who hope to save it
-
A new photo book explores the symbolic beauty of the Japanese garden‘Modern Japanese Gardens’ from Thames & Hudson traces the 20th-century evolution of these serene spaces, where every element has a purpose
-
The Architecture Edit: Wallpaper’s favourite July housesFrom geometric Japanese cottages to restored modernist masterpieces, these are the best residential projects to have crossed the architecture desk this month
-
How an icon of Japanese Metabolist architecture took on a life of its own – even after its destructionWhen Kishō Kurokawa designed the modular Nakagin Capsule Tower more than 50 years ago, he imagined it boarding ships and travelling the world. Now it has, thanks to a new show at MoMA
