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 AD Classics: Yoyogi National Gymnasium / KenzoTange

Architects: Kenzo Tange

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Architect: Kenzo Tange

References: Greatbuildings, Wikiarquitectura

Project Year: 1964

Photographs: Flickr User: kanegen, Flickr User: Jamie Barras, wikiarquitectura,

wikimedia commons

From the architect. Built for the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, the Yoyogi

National Gymnasium has become an architectural icon for its distinctive design. Designed

by one of Japan’s most famous modernist architects, Kenzo Tange, the gymnasium is a

hybridization of western modernist aesthetics and traditional Japanese architecture.

© Flickr User: kanegen

© wikimedia commons

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15 FEB2011

by Andrew Kroll

Projects  Built Projects

Architecture Classics  Gymnasium

Tokyo Sports Architecture

Pavilion Cultural Center Cultural

Japan

Architect: Kenzo Tange

Materials:  Steel  Concrete

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Tange’s innovative structural design creates dramatic sweeping curves that appear to

effortlessly drape from two large, central supporting cables. It’s dynamically suspended roof

and rough materials form one of the most iconic building profiles in the world.

Sitting within one of the largest parks in the metropolitan region of Tokyo, Tange uses the

context as a way in which to integrate his building into the landscape. The subtle curves of

the structural cables, the sweeping roof plane, and the curving concrete base seem to

emerge from the site appearing as one integrated entity.

The gymnasium is the larger of two arenas for the 1964 Summer Olympic Games both of

which are designed by Tange and employ similar structural principles and aesthetics.

The smaller pavilion which holds approximately 5,300 people is used for various small

Olympic events, whereas the national gymnasium was designed to be occupied by 10,500

© Flickr User: Jamie Barras

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people primarily for the Olympic swimming and diving competitions. However, it was able to

be transformed into a space to accommodate for larger events such as basketball and ice

hockey.

Influenced by Le Corbusier’s Philip’s Pavilion and Eero Saarinen’s hockey stadium at Yale

University, Tange became intrigued with structure and its tensile and geometric potential.

Similar to Saarinen’s design for Yale’s hockey stadium, Tange employs a central structural

spine from where the structure and roof originates. Two large steel cables are supported

between two structural towers in addition to being anchored into concrete supports on the

ground. The suspended cables form a tensile tent-like roofing structure; a series of pre-

stressed cables are suspended off of the two main cables that drape toward the concrete

structure that creates the base of the gymnasium as well as providing the necessary

structure for the seating within the stadium.

The result is a symmetrical suspension structure that elegantly draping from the central

structural spine. It‘s flowing surfaces make the minimal surface structure appear as a fabric

suspended by two simple supports that’s being pulled into tension by the landscape.

The fusion of Japanese architectural aesthetic and western modernist design, the

gymnasium’s structural system resembles a snails shell, but in a more contextual sense, the

gymnasiums low profile and sweeping roof forms some semblance to that of an abstracted

Japanese pagoda.

plan_02

section_01

axon_02

 

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© Flickr User: kanegen © Flickr User: Jamie Barras

© Flickr User: Jamie Barras © wikiarquitectura © wikimedia commons

When the Yoyogi National Gymnasium was completed it was the largest suspended roof

span in the world. It’s dynamic form and structural expressionism has made the gymnasium

one of Kenzo Tange’s most important works, as well as a progressive architectural icon.

Today, it is one of Tokyo’s most sought after tourist destinations, while continuing to be an

international venue for sports and fashion.

"We Japanese architects, in our endeavours to resolve the problems facing modern Japan,

have devoted a great deal of attention to the Japanese tradition, and have, in the end,

arrived at the point which I have sought to elucidate for you. If, however, there can be

detected a trace of tradition in my works or in those of my generation, then our creative

powers have not been at their best, then we are still in the throes of evolving our creativity. I

want, by all means, my buildings to be free of the label 'traditional.' –Kenzo Tange

axon_01

© Flickr User: Jamie Barras

 

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site plan axon_01 axon_02

plan_02 plan_01 section_01

section_02

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

Cite:

Andrew Kroll. "AD Classics: Yoyogi National Gymnasium / Kenzo Tange" 15 Feb 2011. ArchDaily. Accessed

29 Dec 2015. <http://www.archdaily.com/109138/ad-classics-yoyogi-national-gymnasium-kenzo-tange/>

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