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Saitama, Japan
Nikken Sekkei
Photo by Kokyu Miwa
Saitama Super Arena flexes mega
muscles
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"We
are pleased that this dynamic space has been enabled
by the highly successful ‘moving block' structure."
—Takahiro Gunji,
Saitama Prefectural Government
"They
had the budget to make something that really breaks
through all the rules of construction. It's like
building a space shuttle."
—Chee Pearlman
Architect
Nikken Sekkei (representative of MAS 2000 Design
Team)
Client
Saitama Prefectural Government
Key
Players
Click here to find a complete listing of the people
and products involved in the completion of
this project and an additional photograph.
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On the tiny
island of Japan, space is extremely precious, as the population
pushes 126 million. Designed for multiple programming needs
in one inclusive location, the 500,000-square-foot Saitama
Super Arena was a welcome arrivalin the prefecture of Saitama,
Japan, just north of Tokyo. Hosting sports, music, industry,
and cultural events, this gathering place is useful to people
in the community of all ages and walks of life.
The design
team was challenged to create a multifunctional facility that
combine three buildings in one. It transforms from 30,000
seats for field games and exhibitions to 20,000 seats for
music and sporting events, and provides daily cultural and
retail activities simultaneously. The building's design and
use of technology have caught the attention of visitors and
professionals from around the world. Saitama stretches the
limit on flexibility, with walls, ceilings, seats, and floors
that move. A block of 9,200 seats along with toilets, concessions,
and circulation can be reconfigured in about 20 minutes. The
movable-block technology has performed flawlessly from its
initial test in early 2000 through the building's first year
of operation.
The arena profits
from the area's robust industrial activity by utilizing a
large exhibition space for trade shows and conventions. "This
project was done as a spark plug to ignite interest in the
development of this new town. What's sprouting up all around
it are new office buildings, government centers, and commerce,"
says juror Neil Frankel, FAIA.
For more on this project please see the
October 2001 issue of Architectural Record.
The Winners: Chesapeake
Bay | Corning
Museum | Dulwich
Galllery | Kuhonji
Temple Gate | LVMH
Tower | Pedestrian
Bridge | Phillips
Plastics | Saitama
Arena | SAP Headquarters
| Chiller Plant
| Wieden + Kennedy
Headquarters
The Finalists:
Allegheny
Jail | Hansen
Construction | Helmut
Lang Perfumerie | Herman
Miller Showroom | Lincoln
St. Garage | TBWA/Chiat/Day
| U.S. Courthouse
| Westpac Stadium
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