A COMPARISON OF DESIGN PROCESSES OF YOYOGI NATIONAL GYMNASIUM AND KAGAWA PREFECTURAL GYMNASIUM

Abstract

I compared, to the extent possible, documents related to the Yoyogi National Stadium with those related to the Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium, in order to identify the similarities and differences between the two buildings. Specifically, I compared the design process of both buildings in terms of architectural planning, structural drawing, and ductwork.

The analysis yielded six findings.

First, in designing sports facilities, Kenzo Tange’s office emphasized spatial openness, spatial directionality, and spaces for creating a sportive atmosphere. The office followed these design principles when designing the Yoyogi National Stadium and Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium. However, due to significant differences in the size of facilities and site areas, the finished forms differed markedly from one another. In the case of Yoyogi National Stadium, the auditoriums were designed in a crescent shape to ensure continuity between the first (larger) and second (smaller) gymnasiums.

However, in the case of Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium, the structural elements were concentrated in the central site area to maximize the openness of the ground level.

Second, the analysis revealed elements that were common to both buildings: Both buildings used rare forms, combining a suspended roof with curved auditoriums, which had few comparable examples anywhere in the world. These common features testify to the painstaking efforts of members of Tange’s office and Yoshikatsu Tsuboi’s laboratory in researching suspended roof designs around the world.

Third, the two buildings differ in terms of the boundary conditions of the suspended roof. The roof of the Yoyogi National Stadium features lateral and longitudinal asymmetry. The roof itself forms a plane combining circular form with a sinusoidal curved form; sections of this roof are then raised high on two pillars, with the weight of the roof pressing down upon the main cables to distort the shape of the roof. By contrast, Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium’s roof maintains a hyperbolic paraboloid form.

Fourth, in the case of Yoyogi National Stadium, the team placed top priority on synthesizing the concave surface of the suspending direction and convex surface of the holding direction, and on integrating the roof with the auditoriums. For the Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium, the team focused on creating prestressed beams to evoke the image of a Japanese boat.

Fifth, the two buildings also differ in terms of the design for the eaves and soffits of the auditoriums. The eaves in the Yoyogi National Stadium form a smooth, ribless curve, while those in the Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium emphasize a latticed design. Sixth, in both buildings, the team aimed to integrate ductwork with structure, and provided spaces for duct piping within the buildings. This approach was particularly apparent in the Yoyogi National Stadium, which used large nozzles for ventilation.