Address (no P.O.

Box):
3-16-4, Ueno Taito-ku

City: Tokyo
Postal code: 110-0005
Country: Japan

Phone (with country code): +81 3 3839 8471

Fax: +81 3 3839 8472
E-mail: info@[Link]

Please tick beside the applicable options to confirm that this project is:

✔
o Internationally recognised
✔
o Demonstrate technical excellence
✔
o Demonstrate innovation

✔
o Is enduring and sustainable

Why do you think this project should receive an award? How does it meet the
criteria of being internationally recognised, demonstrating technical excellence and
innovation and being enduring and sustainable? Please use additional paper sheets if
needed.

Please refer to the attached sheet for details

 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

Yoyogi National Stadiums

1
 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

Outline of the Stadiums

The Yoyogi National Stadiums were constructed as the athletic facility for swimming competition
(Stadium 1) and basketball competition (Stadium 2) for Tokyo Olympic games in 1964. As the site
of the stadiums is adjacent to forest of Meiji Shrine, it was expected to symbolize spirit of sports,
to lead guests smoothly into the stadium and to fully enjoy games in such a landscape. To achieve
this objective, it was planned, designed and constructed to created functional, organic and
dynamic space. This facility was designed by architect Kenzo Tange and Unban Architecture
Design Institute. Dr. Yoshikatu Tsuboi, professor, University of Tokyo and his staffs in the
University took charge of structural design. The complex; Stadium 1 (Pictures 1, 3), Stadium 2
(Pictures 2, 4) and associated facilities, was the largest in its scale as compared with others at that
time. It should be stressed that structural designers realized such a large-span suspension structure
through technical excellence and innovation. Even now, after 48 years of its completion, the
structural complex has been receiving high reputation from architects and structural designers
both in abroad and Japan as the modern architecture representing Japan because of excellent
quality of design. The complex has been used for many international and domestic athletic,
cultural and social activities.

Picture 1 Stadium 1 Picture 2 Stadium 2

1. World Recognition
With regard to Yoyogi National Stadium, architect (Kenzo Tange and Koji Kamiya), structural
designer (Yoshikatu Tsuboi) and mechanical engineer (Uichi Ichikawa) received the following
awards which represent proof of world recognition.

(1) Joint Prize

1) Special Award, Architectural Institute of Japan, 1964
“Planning, Design and Construction Supervision of Olympic Yoyogi Stadium and Komazawa
Park” (Kenzo Tange, Yoshikatu Tsuboi, Uichi Ichikawa, Koji Kamiya, [Link])
2) Minister of Education Award, 1964
(Kenzo Tange, Yoshikatu Tsuboi, Uichi Ichikawa, Koji Kamiya)

2
 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

3) BCS Award by Japan Federation of Construction Contractors, 1965

(Kenzo Tange, Yoshikatu Tsuboi, Uichi Ichikawa, Koji Kamiya)

(2) Kenzo Tange (Architect): Awards related to planning, design and supervision of Yoyogi
Stadium
1) Distinguished Olympic Recognition Award, International Olympic Committee, 1964
2) Gold Medal, the Royal Institute of British Architects, 1965
3) Gold Medal, the American Institute of Architects, 1965
4) Order of Cultural Merit Award, Emperor of Japan, 1980
5) Grand Prize, Architectural Institute of Japan, 1986
“Establishment of modern architecture in Japan and contribution to international development”
6) Pritzker Architecture Prize, 1987
The international prize, which is awarded each year to a living architect for significant
achievement, was established by the Pritzker family of Chicago through their Hyatt Foundation
in 1979. This prize is often referred to as “architecture’s Nobel” and “the profession’s highest
honor”.
7) Praemium Imperiale, 1987
World cultural award commemorating His Imperial Highness Takamatsu, Japan
8) Legion d’honneur Decoration , 1996
Most honorable decoration in France.

(3) Yoshikatu Tsuboi (Structural Designer)

Awards related to structural design and supervision of Yoyogi Stadium
1) Grand Prize, Architectural Institute of Japan, 1976
2) Eduardo Torroja Medal, International Association of Shell and Spatial Structures, 1976
3) Special Pioneer Prize, 1984, Japan
4) Japan Academy Award, 1989

3
 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

2. Technical excellence and Innovation

(1) Design Concept
At time of designing Yoyogi Stadium 1, suspension-roof structure was a quite innovative and
unexplored structure. Suspension-roof structure can most reasonably and economically bring out
advantageous characteristics of steel. It can provide not only an elegant geometric form but also
expected to reduce cooling load as well as to provide good acoustic characteristics as the space
created by this structure is relatively small as compared with others. Unique aspect of this project
was the fact that the design period was extremely short, i.e., only one month due to late site
possession. To overcome this constraint, all the parties involved formed a united team to most
effectively design the Stadium from the beginning. Communication and discussions were carried
out not by drawings or schematics, but by models and intuition. All the ideas were discussed and
reviewed by models and revised models were presented in the next meeting. More than 10 models
were created in the process of discussion. Through this process, design team could reach final
design at an accelerating pace. Design studies started with Stadium 1 as the base. Then, Stadium 2
was designed by following the same concept.

Picture 3 Interior of Stadium 1 Picture 4 Interior of Stadium 2

(2) Structural Concept

1) Structure of Stadium 1 (Fig.1)
Structure of the Stadium 1 is composed of the following 3 systems.
a. Hanging roof surface: Created between suspension-roof structure and peripheral reinforced
concrete structure
b. Central structure: Structure is similar to suspension bridge. Load from the roof is supported
by balancing main suspension cables, main columns, steel hanging members, bracing cables,

4
 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

anchorage and underground struts.

Two main cables of 126 m in length are supported by two main columns. Steel hanging
members attached to the main cables by universal joints are placed at the interval of 4.5 m in
transverse direction (normal to main cables). Bracing cables thread through steel hanging
members at the interval of 1.5 m - 3.0 m in longitudinal direction. Pre-tension is applied on
entire roof structure.
c. Peripheral reinforced concrete structure: Tension force from the roof and weight of
spectators' stands are balanced by this structure

Fig. 1 Structural System of Stadium 1

2) Structure of Stadium 2 (Fig.2)

The Stadium 2 has a plan of 65 m in diameter. Main structure is composed of one main
column and a main spiral pipe starting from the top of main column to the anchorage. Steel
hanging members of truss shape are attached to the main pipe in radius direction. Roof surface
is laid on the steel hanging members. Unlike Stadium 1, there are no wires net on roof.

Fig. 2 Structural System of Stadium 2

5
 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

(3) Innovation
1) Structural analysis
A set of governing equations for the analysis of the suspension-roof structure was developed and
calculated. It should be mentioned that calculations were performed by mechanical-type calculator,
so-called “Tiger calculator”, and it took significant amount of computation time.
2) Model testing
More than 10 scale models were created in the course of finalizing the structure to verify validity
of structural calculations and to accelerate structural design. Typical models are
a. 1/30 scale “Wire Rope Model”
Used for testing effect of pressure on the roof surface. It can predict distribution of
deflection on the roof surface for the various load conditions. This model was used for
studying statical and
dynamic behavior of cable network.
A breakthrough idea was drawn from this test and analysis. Instead of using hanging cables
that are reinforced by steel members, steel hanging members were used to attain necessary
bending stiffness while keeping design curved shape of roof. It also provided structural
strength against high mode of roof vibration.
b. 1/30 scale “Rigid Hanger Model” (Picture 5)
The Model was used to test rigidity of hanging members.
c. Vibration Test
1/30 and 1/100 (Picture 6) scale models were used for testing dynamic behavior of roof
d. Wind Load Test
1/300 scale model was used to determine design wind loads.
e. Test on Dynamic Behavior and Flutter of Roof
Series of model tests were conducted to examine dynamic behavior of the roof due to
pulsating wind and to see if such states as flutter would create critical condition

Picture 5 1/30 Scale Model Experiment Picture 6 1/100 Scale Model Experiment

6
 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

3) Construction
The following innovations were employed in the construction of Stadium 1.
a. Oil Dampers (Fig. 3)
To control unexpected dynamic vibration of the main cables, 6 oil dampers were installed
near the top of each main column.

Fig.3 Main Cables Vibration Control System: Oil Dampers

b. Universal Joint (Fig. 4)

The main cables displace greatly during construction (2 m at the center of cables). This is the
same for the joints connecting the main cables with the steel hanging members that are
subject to complex 3-dimensional displacement during construction. To cope with this
problem, universal joints were created to allow complex displacement during and after the
construction.

Fig.4 Universal Joint

7
 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

c) Conically Revolving Saddle (Picture 7)

The center part of the main cables is widened to 16 m for securing space for natural light and
lighting facilities, etc. In the process of widening the main cables, portion of main cables
placed on the saddles near the top of main columns are subject to so-called “crank action”
that may dislocate main wires on the saddles. To prevent main wires from dislocation,
“Conically revolving saddles” were introduced to handle crank action.

Picture 7: Conically Revolving Saddle

3. Sustainability and Durability

Since its completion in 1964, Yoyogi Stadiums have been used for various international and
domestic athletic competitions as well as for cultural and social activities. After nearly 50 years
of completion, the Stadiums are in very good shapes, and are attracting people from the world.
This is due to the deliberate design of the structures for durability as well as to the excellent
maintenance works of the facilities that have been continuously made by the owner of the
buildings. To illustrate this fact, some of the major and recent athletic activities are introduced in
Table 1. In August and September 2012, 35 and 33 events are planned in the two Stadiums,
respectively.

Based on the above facts and achievements, we recommend Yoyogi Stadiums for FIDIC
Centenary Award.

8
 FIDIC Centenary Award

Yoyogi National Stadiums

Table 1. Major and Recent Athletic Activities in Yoyogi Stadiums

Type of Sports Year Description Remarks
Basketball 1964 Tokyo Olympic games International
Every year Nationwide Emperor/ Empress Cup Japan
Every year Japan Pro-Basketball League (men, women) Japan
2012 The 88th Kanto College Basketball tournament Japan

Swimming 1964 Tokyo Olympic games International

1979 FINA world cup swimming competition International
Judo 2010 International Judo tournament International

2012 Grand slam Tokyo 2012 Japan

Volleyball 1977 Second World Cup volleyball International
1998, 2006 Men’s World Volleyball competition (final)
2010 Women’s World Volleyball competition (final) International

2012 42nd all Japan junior-high school volleyball Japan

tournament
Tennis 1986, 1987, Toray Pan-pacific Tennis tournament (final) International
1990
Figure Skating 1995, World Pro-figure skating championship International
2001 Grand prix final world figure championship
2009, 2012 World figure skating - nation tournament
Pro Boxing 1994 WBA super-fly weight championship International
2008 WBA flyweight championship
2008 WBA feather and bantam weight championship
2009 WBA world super-feather weight championship
Pro Wrestling 1990s All Japan/ New Japan pro-wrestling tournament Japan
Rhythmic 2012 Aeon-Cup world rhythmic gymnastics club International
Gymnastics tournament
Gymnastics 2012 The 66th all Japan gymnastic competition Japan
th
Karate 2012 The 44 all Japan Karate tournament Japan
Wrestling 2012 “Emperor Cup” all Japan wrestling tournament Japan
Badminton 2012 Yonnex open Japan 2012 Japan
The 23rd All Japan badminton tournament
Fencing 2012 The 65th all Japan fencing tournament Japan
Cheerleading 2012 Japan Cup 2012 Japan
Cheerleading Japan competition
ICU Asian open cheerleading competition International
Table Tennis 2012 Emperor/Empress cup tournament Japan
Junior all Japan tournament