Miyagi Stadium, Sendai
Architect: Atelier Hitoshi Abe

Design Concept: “Openness of the Universe”; the roof size was kept minimum, just covering the seats.

Comment: The stadium seats are blue-colour based, fading gradually from dark blue at the bottom to almost white at the top to reflect the sky above and accentuate its openness. The stadium is located in a newly built city about 10 miles outside the Sendai city. The stadium can also be used for other athletic events.
Yuki Sumner (yuki@edmundsumner.co.uk)

Capacity: 49,133
Completed: March 2000
Cost: 25,000,000,000 yen (approx. £133 million)

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Saitama Stadium
Architect: Azusa Architects Group

Design Context: The roof design is based on two birds coupled together. A great number of “Shirasagi” (Snowy Egret) used to inhabit the swamp around the area.

Comment: This stadium boasts to be the largest football stadium in Asia. It is also environmentally conscious; using the space under the seats to store enough blankets and food to feed 3000 people for 30 days. Up to 3250 tons of rainwater can be collected from the rooftop and solar panels produce enough electricity to run the stadium facilities.
Yuki Sumner (yuki@edmundsumner.co.uk)

Capacity: 63,700
Completed: July 2001

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Niigata Stadium
Architects: Nikken Sekkei

Design Context: The roof design is based on the image of a swan spreading its wings ready for flight.

Comment: The stadium is located next to an important natural migration park for swans. The stadium collects up to 1,200 tons of rainwater from the rooftop.
Yuki Sumner (yuki@edmundsumner.co.uk)

Capacity: 42,300
Completed: April 2001

Click on the thumbnails, below, to view the photos.