National Yoyogi Olympic Stadium, Tokyo Japan

Kenzo Tange Associates designed the National Yoyogi Stadium for the 1964 olympics. It accommodates 13,291 people for sporting and entertainment events. A smaller stadium has smaller athletic events and an indoor pool.

Gentle curving ramps reach the stadium seating rather than stairs. The large suspension roof structure achieves a distinctly Japanese form with the peaks signifying the entrances. The form is similar to the nearby Meiji Shrine.

This project preceded the tent-like structure for the Munich Olympia park. A gentle dome within this accommodates the functions inside. The tensile structure combines with modernist concrete and a soft wood interior to generate a very interesting building.

It also was surely inspired by the Washington Heights U.S. army baracks that served as the nearby Olympic village.

More Info, Video


(Joe Jones
– flickr/creative commons license)

(Matt Watts
– flickr/creative commons license)

(japanese_craft_construc tion
– flickr/creative commons license)

(japanese_craft_construc tion
– flickr/creative commons license)

(japanese_craft_construc tion
– flickr/creative commons license)