Latest
issue
GET SPA BUSINESS
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital editions of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines and the FREE weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window I've already subscribed.
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
Zaha Hadid cries foul as Tokyo 2020 stadium design is chosen
POSTED 22 Dec 2015 . BY Matthew Campelli
Kengo Kuma's design includes a track and field below ground level Credit: Japan Sports Council via Associated Press
Japanese architects Kengo Kuma have been selected to design the 80,000 capacity stadium which will be the centrepiece of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The design was selected by the Japanese government after it was put forward by the Japanese Sports Council as one of two shortlisted proposals last week.

Kuma’s design will cost ¥149bn (£806m, US$1.2bn, €1.1bn) and is due to be completed by November 2019. It will be built by construction giant Taisei Corp.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said the proposal was a “wonderful plan that meets criteria such as basic principles, construction period and cost”, but the decision was slammed by British architect, Zaha Hadid, who had originally been on board to design the stadium before Abe pulled the plug.

“Sadly the Japanese authorities, with the support of some of those from our own profession in Japan, have colluded to close the doors on the project to the world,” the company said in a statement.

“This is shocking treatment of an international design and engineering team, as well as the respected Japanese design companies with whom we worked, was not about design or budget,” added the statement. “In fact much of our two years of detailed work and the cost savings we recommended have been validated by the remarkable similarities of our original detailed stadium layout and our seating bowl configured with those of the design announced today.”

Kuma’s design incorporates a combined steel and wood structure with a flat roof and greenery along its surrounding concourse. The 50m (164ft) structure was chosen by an expert panel over a proposal put together by a consortium which included Takenaka, Shimizu, Obayashi and Toyo Ito.

“The stadium incorporates the views of experts in the construction field and we are looking forward very much to using the new stadium as the centrepiece of the Tokyo 2020 Games,” said president of Tokyo 2020, Yoshiro Mori.
RELATED STORIES
  Zaha Hadid Architects question Japanese government's logic for Olympic stadium designs


The architects of the original Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium have accused the Japanese government of putting the legacy of the Games in jeopardy and overlooking several designers after it unveiled two new plans for the arena.
  Japan Sports Council unveils Olympic Stadium designs


Two stadium designs for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been revealed by the Japanese Sports Council.
  Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic cycling venues approved by IOC


The venue master plan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is slowly taking shape following the confirmation of four locations for the Games’ cycling events.
MORE NEWS
One in three spa practitioners have considered leaving the industry due to concerns about their own wellbeing
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
UK updates physical activity guidelines with focus on daily movement
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Sauna advocate Becky Pelkonen drafts global public sauna-bathing charter
Becky Pelkonen, the sauna advocate and researcher, has unveiled the draft of a global public sauna-bathing charter.
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Marriott International has partnered with Fitwel, a healthy building certification system that aims to optimise occupant health.
+ More news   

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Barr + Wray Ltd

Barr + Wray has more than 60 years’ experience in the design and delivery of world-class spa and wel [more...]
Agilysys UK Ltd

Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), is a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions that [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Zaha Hadid cries foul as Tokyo 2020 stadium design is chosen
POSTED 22 Dec 2015 . BY Matthew Campelli
Kengo Kuma's design includes a track and field below ground level Credit: Japan Sports Council via Associated Press
Japanese architects Kengo Kuma have been selected to design the 80,000 capacity stadium which will be the centrepiece of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The design was selected by the Japanese government after it was put forward by the Japanese Sports Council as one of two shortlisted proposals last week.

Kuma’s design will cost ¥149bn (£806m, US$1.2bn, €1.1bn) and is due to be completed by November 2019. It will be built by construction giant Taisei Corp.

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe said the proposal was a “wonderful plan that meets criteria such as basic principles, construction period and cost”, but the decision was slammed by British architect, Zaha Hadid, who had originally been on board to design the stadium before Abe pulled the plug.

“Sadly the Japanese authorities, with the support of some of those from our own profession in Japan, have colluded to close the doors on the project to the world,” the company said in a statement.

“This is shocking treatment of an international design and engineering team, as well as the respected Japanese design companies with whom we worked, was not about design or budget,” added the statement. “In fact much of our two years of detailed work and the cost savings we recommended have been validated by the remarkable similarities of our original detailed stadium layout and our seating bowl configured with those of the design announced today.”

Kuma’s design incorporates a combined steel and wood structure with a flat roof and greenery along its surrounding concourse. The 50m (164ft) structure was chosen by an expert panel over a proposal put together by a consortium which included Takenaka, Shimizu, Obayashi and Toyo Ito.

“The stadium incorporates the views of experts in the construction field and we are looking forward very much to using the new stadium as the centrepiece of the Tokyo 2020 Games,” said president of Tokyo 2020, Yoshiro Mori.
RELATED STORIES
Zaha Hadid Architects question Japanese government's logic for Olympic stadium designs


The architects of the original Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium have accused the Japanese government of putting the legacy of the Games in jeopardy and overlooking several designers after it unveiled two new plans for the arena.
Japan Sports Council unveils Olympic Stadium designs


Two stadium designs for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been revealed by the Japanese Sports Council.
Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic cycling venues approved by IOC


The venue master plan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is slowly taking shape following the confirmation of four locations for the Games’ cycling events.
MORE NEWS
One in three spa practitioners have considered leaving the industry due to concerns about their own wellbeing
A new survey of UK and international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry.
UK updates physical activity guidelines with focus on daily movement
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Sauna advocate Becky Pelkonen drafts global public sauna-bathing charter
Becky Pelkonen, the sauna advocate and researcher, has unveiled the draft of a global public sauna-bathing charter.
Marriott International partners with Fitwel for wellness solutions across its residential portfolio
Marriott International has partnered with Fitwel, a healthy building certification system that aims to optimise occupant health.
Anna Bjurstam steps down from Six Senses to build new company Wahayla
Anna Bjurstam has left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts and launched a new wellness, longevity and “consciousness consultancy” called Wahayla.
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, opens with spa philosophy of ‘Wellness without Walls’
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) in the Northwest of England with a 1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]

MSpa Oslo series: a timeless bestseller
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Barr + Wray Ltd

Barr + Wray has more than 60 years’ experience in the design and delivery of world-class spa and wel [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
10-12 Sep 2026

ASEAN Patio Pool Spa Expo 2026

MITEC Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Malaysia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS