BIM Architecture Showcase: Japan National Stadium for Tokyo Olympics by Dacheng Construction, Zi Design, and Kengo Kuma Urban Design

Constructed primarily from wood, the Japanese National Stadium harmoniously integrates with the surrounding Meiji Shrine forest. This new stadium presents a modern interpretation of history while embracing the traditional Japanese architectural feature of “eaves.” These eaves are specifically designed to suit Japan’s climate, providing shade to the stands and allowing refreshing breezes to circulate, thus contributing to the creation of an eco-friendly building.

To seamlessly blend with the lush greenery of the Meiji Shrine outer garden, the stadium’s height has been kept low. The eaves on each floor are adorned with local plants, enhancing this natural connection. The expansive, flat roof extends from the main structure, supported by a wooden and steel frame approximately 60 meters in length. Through meticulous design, the architect has skillfully combined local traditions, climate considerations, and advanced technology to create a world-class sports venue.

The stadium’s optimal thermal environment is guided by wind through a system called Kaze no Obisashi. This design channels the monsoon winds from above, effectively expelling heat and moisture from the stadium, improving comfort for spectators and athletes alike. The spacing between the eaves varies depending on the stadium’s orientation: narrower openings on the south and southeast sides capture summer breezes and direct them toward the stands, while wider openings on the north side limit winter winds to the roof area, maintaining an ideal internal climate.

Focused on achieving outstanding structural performance and construction feasibility, the stadium employs simple steel frames for the cantilevered roof and grandstands. These materials and structures are repeated uniformly around the stadium’s circumference to form consistent spaces. Additionally, many prefabricated elements were utilized for the foundation and seating areas to expedite construction. The lower portion of the structure incorporates a soft damping system with oil-filled dampers, effectively absorbing seismic energy and enhancing earthquake resistance.

Technical drawing

Project Information

Architectural Design: Zi Design, Kengo Kuma Architecture Urban Design Firm, Dacheng Construction

Area: 192,000 m²

Project Year: 2019

Lead Architect: Kengo Kuma, Kengo Kuma Architecture Urban Design Firm

Design Team: Kengo Kuma Architecture and Urban Design Firm: Minoru Yokoo, Kenji Miyahara, Tomoaki Kusatani, Soichiro Harada, Motoki Yada, Tomohiro Matsunaga, Gang Kanda, Hiroshi Minami (former employee)

Owner: Japan Sports Revitalization Center

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Translator: Jingfei Huang

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