Construction on Japan’s new National Stadium due to commence late 2016

Construction companies Taisei Corporation, Azusa Sekkei Co. and the office of Kengo Kuma – the architect who designed the new stadium – are due to commence work on the project in a joint venture (JV). The ¥150bn (US$1.5bn) contract is just below the ¥155bn (US$1.55bn) ceiling set this time for the contractors.

According to Japanese news agency Kyodo News, Japan Sports Council (JSC) President, Kazumi Ohigashi, has said that construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2019.

Construction is slated to commence some 12+ months after the initial idea for the Stadium was scrapped. The original design, by London-based firm, Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), was said to have spiralled to ¥252bn (US$2.5bn); as a consequence of the soaring costs, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe axed the design in August last year following mounting public opposition. Kuma’s design was selected in its place.

These delays resulted in Japan being forced to search for a replacement venue to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, which will now take place at the International Stadium Yokohama.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who has repeatedly voiced her desire to get the costs associated with Tokyo 2020 under control, has stated she will watch the progress of the project closely.

According to the Japan Times, plans were heard regarding the Stadium’s potential use as a football, athletics and arts venue following the completion of the Games.

The approval of the contract comes a day after a review commissioned by the Tokyo Government predicted that total costs for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games could exceed ¥3 trillion (US$30bn) unless drastic changes are made.

Source: Inside The Games

Images of Japan’s new National Stadium / Design Works and Construction Works of Taisei Corporation, Azusa Sekkei Co., Ltd. and Kengo Kuma and Associates JV. Courtesy: JSC.

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