Location: Tokyo, Japan.
Architect: Nikken Sekkei Ltd, Shimizu Corporation.
After removing the temporary spectator stands, the Ariake Gymnastics Centre will be transformed into a permanent exhibition hall. It will first serve as a temporary international sports competition facility. The facility’s extensive and abundant use of wood throughout the construction makes it special. The material was chosen to capture the memories of the location, which was formerly a pond for storing lumber. With careful consideration of the properties of wood in each application, timber is used whenever possible, notably in the roof frame structure, facade, spectator seats, outside walls, etc.
A wooden frame supports the arena ceiling, which is intended to lighten the overall structure. The Concourse area is purposefully located outside as people enter the venue. Acoustic and thermal insulation qualities are considered when designing the wood facade. We believe that spectators and athletes from all over the world will be able to experience the beauty and richness in simplicity that can be achieved when function, structure, and space are firmly linked.
Japanese larch glue-laminated timber was utilised for the roof structure, not as facing material or elements supporting a steel frame, but as the structure itself, leaving them visible in the arena’s ceiling. Warm wood tones fill the interior of the arena, which has 12,000 bench seats that are also made of laminated Japanese cedar.
