When large-scale state-level projects are started, difficulties, disagreements and problems always appear. The construction of the Olympic stadium in the capital of Japan also took place not on a smooth but even road. As a result, it was built on time, but nevertheless the organizers of the construction had to go to at least one trick.
Zaha Hadid's unfulfilled project
At first, they wanted to build the stadium according to the project of the world famous woman architect and designer, British woman with Iraqi roots Zaha Hadid. But the project was complicated and very expensive - about $ 2.2 billion, which led to widespread criticism of the capital's authorities. The visualization of the stadium presented to other architects immediately caused negative reviews and disagreements: some compared the main Olympic facility with a turtle, others with a white elephant, and for some it reminded a bicycle helmet. After heated and heated discussions, they decided to abandon it and began to look for another architect with more acceptable professional ideas.
Kengo Kuma's Project
They found such an architect. It turned out to be Japanese Kengo Kuma. The project he proposed was based on the traditions of the national architecture of Japan in the style of "tree and green" and reflected the motives of the old buildings of the Middle Ages. The stadium was distinguished by its environmental friendliness and skillful integration into the surrounding landscape.
Yes, financial costs would be reduced if the new accepted project was implemented. Up to about $ 1.2 billion. But the arena's capacity would also change downward: from 80 thousand (according to Hadid's project) to 68 thousand people.
In architecture and construction, you can sometimes come across not the best customs. For example, the construction of a building does not take place in the planned and approved terms. A similar thing happened during the construction of the main stadium in Tokyo: its construction began in December 2016, and this is 14 months later than the announced date.
Still, it is difficult to stay within rigid limits, especially when it comes to grandiose buildings. On the construction of the main stadium of the capital of Japan, they spent not $ 1.2 billion, but about $ 1.5 billion. But approximately 80% of all costs will be compensated by funds from the state treasury and the budget of the capital. The rest of the expenses are planned to be reimbursed with money that can be received after 5 sports lotteries.
The new stadium was erected on the site of the previously demolished old one, which once (in 1964) hosted (for the first time in Japan) the Olympic Games.
The large-scale construction was carried out by a consortium led by Taisei Corp. Work proceeded on schedule and was completed by the beginning of winter 2019. The stadium was opened on December 16.
Features and nuances of the stadium
What's special about the stadium? Wood. Products from it were used in many structural elements and façades. But here again it was not without another nuance. Wooden structures and details are used only up to the level of the third floor, and at higher levels they are replaced by aluminum imitations with a special coating in the color of wood. It will be very difficult to distinguish where the real tree is, and where only its likeness and image, if you do not come close to it. This architectural solution arose from considerations of constructive and fire safety. In addition, one can point out another reason for this not entirely honest technical execution: the organizers of the stadium's construction suspended the supply of their Japanese timber at low purchase prices and began ordering timber from neighboring countries to Japan, where the requirements for the quality standards of timber products are much lower than those of Japan.
Outside, the stadium looks quite standard, without any special architectural delights. Next to it is the sacred Meiji Jingu Forest Park, which is home to tens of thousands of trees brought from different regions of Japan.
