Coop Himmelb(l)au recently has designed the Silk Leaf Stadium.

Like a modern acropolis, our concept for the new National Stadium of Japan places the arena on a plinth as a sign in the center of the city. A large plaza is created by the plinth forming the main public entryway. The seating tribunes are conceived as landscape elements of the podium, and are covered by a light, shell-like roof touching the ground at only four points. The shell is topped by a retractable photo-voltaic glass roof element that separates into two visible wing-shaped leaves opening the stadium to the sky.

Coop Himmelb(l)au

© ISOCHROM.com, Vienna

+ Project facts

Architect: Coop Himmelb(l)au
Capacity: 80,000 seats
Type: Multifunctional Sports and Entertainment
Features: Retractable photovoltaic clad glass roof
Gross Floor Area: 244,000m2
Height: 70m
Chronology: Competition 2012