Best Interior Style Home Design: sports

Sabtu, 13 Februari 2010

SAITAMA SUPER ARENA

Architects have been experimenting with the idea of mobile architecture -whose components can be arranged according to the user's changing needs- over the last decades with interesting results. Back in the '60s Kisho Kurokawa proposed his theory of metabolism, in which parts or components, integrated into an urban or architectural unit, could be modified in an extensible structured system.

The Saitama Super Arena (2000) also offers the ability to become flexible, but a much larger scale. It is located in the suburbs of Tokyo, and it is a building that can function as a 37,000-seat stadium, a 22,000-seat arena or a 5,000-seat concert hall. The transformation from one function to another takes only 20 minutes, and it is possible by moving a giant retractable structure of 15,000 tons and 41.5 meters in height across a distance of 70 meters, moving around approximately 9000 seats along with it. But not only seats are displaced but also bathrooms, hallways, offices and various facilities that fit perfectly for the chosen function.

See location on Google Maps

The building is designed to accommodate different events simultaneously, such as concerts, exhibitions and sporting events. Moreover, the height of the roof panels can be adjusted according to the acoustic requirements of every event at a particular time. This mobile structure is remarkable given the safety that this kind of building should offer, especially in seismic zone like Japan.

Images by Ellerbe Becket

This impressive "Transformer-Stadium" was designed by the renowned team of Nikken Sekkei office in partnership with the nearly century-old U.S. company Ellerbe Becket and Flack + Kurtz Consulting Engineers. The building has won several awards due to its high quality and technological innovation.

The front of the venue helps to give the building a monumental and spectacular scale. La fachada curva y acristalada baña de luz al edificio de día y lo convierte en un fulgoroso referente de noche, y está compuesta de dos cuerpos: a nivel peatonal se encuentra un atrio monumental que se abre hacia una plazoleta de recepción, la cual asu vez se comunica con la estación de tren de Saitama mediante un puente. The curved and glazed facade, which allows the building be bathed in light by day and turns it into a glow spot by night, and is composed of two bodies: a monumental atrium that opens onto a courtyard reception, which also communicates with the Saitama railway station via a bridge.

Above it, resembling a flying saucer, there is another cylindrical glass volume which contains gyms and other facilities, supported by a series of columns in "V" shape.

A fan like structure, located more than 60 m above the ground, crowns the building while emphasizes the effect of welcome to the visitor.

However, the design includes elements that compensate this monumentality, giving the Saitama Super Arena a more human scale. Adjacent to the facade lies the John Lennon Museum, a two-story building that houses a collection of the famous ex-Beatle, donated by his widow, the Japanese Yoko Ono. It may seem strange, but this is the first (and only) John Lennon museum in the world.

Photo by Wikipedia

In short, the building is shown with a High Tech aesthetic that prioritizes metal and glass, successfully meeting its demanding and flexible multi-functionality.

Well, I must admit that my visit to this huge building was accidental and not planned, thanks to an enthusiastic invitation from my friend Giancarlo who convinced me to come here to enjoy a concert by U2.

The concert was excellent, but I think I should leave Giancarlo the task to prepare its details, as I am sure he can more accurately portray the concert of the famous Irish group, with the feverish excitement and euphoria that surely must still be dripping by his pores.

I would just like to emphasize a quote from Bono in concert.

"Yesterday we had a wonderful experience while visiting the Church of Light, which was designed by a famous architect, not only here in Japan but around the world: Mr. Tadao Ando..."

Then he dedicated him the song "City of Blinding Lights".

And it's so unusual to talk about architecture in a rock concert!

SEE ALSO:

CONCERT HALLS, ARENAS

Selasa, 09 Februari 2010

VANCOUVER OLYMPICS 2010: RICHMOND OVAL

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL

Located in British Columbia, Vancouver is a Canadian city overlooking the Pacific. It is a relatively young city, located on the banks of the Fraser River and the foothills of rugged, wooded mountains. A multicultural metropolis, it accommodates a significant immigrant population from Asia, and its economic growth is reflected in the high value of its properties.

Vancouver, is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. One of the main sports venues for this event is the speed skating Richmond Olympic Oval, in the neighboring city of Richmond. Located across the Fraser River, this scenario will be subsequently used as a recreational equipment at any time of year, promoting social interaction in the community and will be a catalyst for economic development in the area.

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The Oval during construction

The building was started in 2006 and completed in 2009. The project was designed by the Canadian architect Bob Johnston who, inspired by the fluidity of the Fraser River, conceived its proposal based on 3 concepts:

Photo courtesy of popejon

• Flow: in three major types (laminar, transitional and turbulent surface), is the idea that summarizes the many activities and buildings on the site. The interior and exterior site celebrates our existence in the daily and seasonal cycles of the sun, water, earth and wind. Here we found the strict order of the city meeting the natural environment of the the riverfront.

• Flight: represents the highest embodiment of human spirit and our aspirations for the development of mind and body. For the speed skater, hard years of rigorous training end up in the turbulence of the Olympic event. For the community it provides an opportunity to enrich the daily routine by coming to an oasis, an environment devoted to the potential of the human body.

• Fusion of the physical elements of flow and the spiritual elements of flight. The estuary, just like Canada, is both diverse and interconnected, fluid and elemental, powerful and quiet.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Rees

Photo courtesy of Hariis Hui

Photo courtesy of Lightfight8r

The oval hosts a 400 meters ice ring, with an approximate capacity of 8,000 spectators. On the main level activities can be developed simultaneously in ice, wood and stone floor.

Photo courtesy of El Chango

The corrugated panels are fitted in V-shaped achieving structural and acoustic integrity, as well as a very interesting visual effect of rippling waves.