The International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) has created an All-Time Award to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The Award highlights outstanding examples of sports and leisure facilities that have become both landmark and influential projects over the last few decades. See the eight winners after the break.
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IAKS Selects 8 Outstanding Sports & Leisure Facilities as “All-Time Best”
Richard Rogers Speaks Out Against Japan's Decision to Scrap Zaha Hadid Stadium
Last month, Japan officially scrapped plans for the controversial Zaha Hadid Architects-designed National Stadium that was intended to be the centerpiece of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Since the decision, ZHA released a statement that denied responsibility for the project's ballooning costs, saying the Japan Sport Council (JSC) has been approving the project's design and budget "at every stage."
Now, British architect Richard Rogers, who served on the jury that selected ZHA's stadium design, has joined the conversation claiming Japan has "lost their nerve" and warning that their decision to "start over from zero" will harm Japan's "reputation as a promoter of world-class architectural design."
Read on for Roger's full statement:
Populous Unveils New Football Stadium for San Diego
Populous has unveiled plans for a new Chargers football stadium that is meant to capture the "essence of San Diego," California. The 68,000-seat stadium, planned to be built on the Qualcomm Stadium site in Mission Valley, will feature a "kinetic skin" that will mimic the sound of the ocean as it sways in the wind.
"We wanted to make sure as a team that we were making this a really authentic place and people who see it will say, 'That represents our city - that represents where the Chargers should be. They've been here over 50 years and they should stay here.' This stadium represents that. This is an expression of San Diego," Populous senior principal Scott Radecic told the San Diego Union Tribune.
DeBruce Center for the Original Rules of Basketball / Multistudio
Gould Evans has unveiled its newest project: the DeBruce Center for the Original Rules of Basketball, a 32,000 square-foot museum that will house the 1891 original typed rules of basketball by James Naismith.
The museum will serve as an addition to the University of Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse, and seeks not only to provide an exhibition place for the historical document, but also to tell a three-dimensional history of the evolution of basketball through various points along a linear path.
Populous Designs Tottenham Hotspur's New Stadium in London
British football club Tottenham Hotspur has released plans for a new stadium designed by Populous. Planned to be built in the London borough of Haringey, the "visually dramatic" 61,000-seat proposal is designed to host both English and American football. If approved, it will feature a state-of-the-art retractable pitch and a 17,000 capacity single tier end stand that will be the UK's largest.
Beyond the field, the new stadium will feature a permanent visitors center and arrivals hub with an interactive museum to celebrate club history and local heritage, a cinema, the club megastore, ticket office and café. At the top of the stadium will be a "Sky Walk" showcasing vistas of London.
Japan Stands Behind Plans to Build Zaha Hadid's Tokyo Stadium
Despite harsh criticism for being too large and costly, Tokyo's 2020 Zaha Hadid-designed National Stadium will be realized. As USA Today reports, the Japanese government has announced its decision to move forward with the design, saying any major modifications would lead to construction delays.
The 80,000-seat stadium has already undergone some design changes, due to backlash led by Pritzker laureates Toyo Ito and Fumihiko Maki; it's most recent design is said to be more "efficient, user-focussed, adaptable and sustainable." However controversy continues as the city and central government must now decide how to split the stadium's estimated $2 billion bill.
Family Box / Crossboundaries
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Architects: Crossboundaries
- Year: 2015
THERMAL SPRINGS POOLS POÇA DA DONA BEIJA / M-Arquitectos
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Architects: M-Arquitectos
- Area: 154 m²
- Year: 2015
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Professionals: Civil Açores Lda
New Swimming Center in Brescia / Camillo Botticini + Francesco Craca + Arianna Foresti + Studio Montanari + Nicola Martinoli
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Architects: Arianna Foresti, Camillo Botticini, Francesco Craca, Nicola Martinoli, Studio Montanari
- Area: 12000 m²
- Year: 2013
Skate Park De La Mar Bella / SCOB
'De Heuvelrand' Voorthuizen Swimming Pool / Slangen+Koenis Architects
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Architects: Slangen+Koenis Architects
- Area: 1800 m²
- Year: 2014
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Manufacturers: Derako
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Professionals: Technion
AECOM's Basketball Training Facility Encases a Diverse Range of Program in LA
AECOM has designed a $42,000,000 campus and training facility for a professional basketball organization in West Los Angeles. The building contains a basketball arena, corporate headquarters, a hall of fame, and gardens, among other programs. Despite the building’s varied uses, AECOM was determined to make it “basketball centric.”
Skate Park Jardines de Aureà Cuadrado / SCOB
Circulo Mercantil Industrial Sports Center / Manuel Quijano Vallejo
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Architects: Manuel Quijano Vallejo
- Area: 2141 m²
- Year: 2014
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Professionals: Calconsa, Estudio GAAS, UTE Circulo Mercantil Eiffage-Inabensa
Multipurpose Sports Hall and Secondary School Collège du Léman / Graeme Mann & Patricia Capua Mann
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Architects: Graeme Mann & Patricia Capua Mann
- Area: 4609 m²
- Year: 2009
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Professionals: AIC ingénieurs conseils SA, Chexbres, Perrin & Spaeth, Schumacher Ingénierie, Arteco
Habitia H-Club / IDIN Architects
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Architects: IDIN Architects
- Area: 302 m²
- Year: 2014
Geopark / Helen & Hard
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Architects: Helen & Hard
- Year: 2008
Gallery: Inside Herzog & de Meuron's Bordeaux Stadium During Its Inaugural Match
Architectural photographer Philippe Caumes has sent us images from the open match at Herzog & de Meuron's newly completed Bordeaux Stadium in France. Sometimes compared to a classical temple, the all-white, rectangular stadium is distinct with a forest of slender columns touching down on an inviting grand staircase that ushers fans into its 42,000-seat "bowl." Take a look inside, after the break.