Zaha Hadid Architects Releases Video on New National Stadium, Tokyo

John Hill

26. August 2015

Photo: Screenshot

Following their design being scrapped in July, a 24-minute video from Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) argues that their winning design for the main venue of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is ready to build and pursuing a new design is foolhardy.

Further, the video situates ZHA's 2012-competition-winning stadium design within precedents like traditional Japanese bridges and Kenzo Tange's Yoyogi Gymnasium, and it argues that the firm's experience on projects like the London Aqauatics Center for the 2010 Olympics and its team of consultants, many in Japan, make their design the best choice moving forward.

Per a statement, ZHA "welcomes a new contractor bidding process ... to reduce costs and ensure value for money in terms of quality, durability and long-term sustainability" so "the New National Stadium can be completed in time to welcome the world to Japan in 2019 ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and become a new home for sport for many future generations of Japan’s athletes, sportsmen and women."

In addition to the video that situates the firm released a 91-page report that echoes the sentiments of the film. Watch the video below or download the report (127mb PDF) here.