Location: Tokyo, Japan
Program: Sports stadium
Status: Competition Entry
Team: In association with Jakupa Architects & Urban Designers

Inspired by the Japanese art of origami, our proposal for the Japan National Stadium seeks to capture the beauty of complex folded geometry in a bold civic landmark. The concept diagram traces a clear design lineage — a flat plane is progressively folded, triangulated, and sculpted into a dynamic three-dimensional form that wraps the stadium like an iconic paper bowl. The result is a structure that feels simultaneously ancient and contemporary, rooted in Japanese cultural tradition yet unmistakably modern.

The intricate faceted skin envelops the entire stadium, its pleated white surfaces creating an ever-changing play of light and shadow throughout the day. Seen from above, the building reads as a singular, seamless form nestled within the Tokyo cityscape — a sculptural landmark that announces itself as a world-class venue worthy of the Olympic stage.

The 80 000 seater stadium is designed to conform to all Olympic sporting standards. An urban podium, elevated from the ground, forms the base of the stadium. On the elevated level, it becomes an urban park, complete with cycle lanes and climbing walls for the public.