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Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Zaha Hadid's £1.3bn stadium design ditched amid spiralling costs Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Zaha Hadid's £1.3bn stadium design ditched amid spiralling costs
(34 minutes later)
The curvaceous Aquatics Centre she created for the London Olympics in 2012 was described as “magnificent”, winning over doubters despite its expense. But Zaha Hadid’s plans for an even more ambitious Games venue have been left in tatters after Japan pulled the plug on its controversial national stadium.The curvaceous Aquatics Centre she created for the London Olympics in 2012 was described as “magnificent”, winning over doubters despite its expense. But Zaha Hadid’s plans for an even more ambitious Games venue have been left in tatters after Japan pulled the plug on its controversial national stadium.
The celebrated British-Iraqi architect’s winning design for the venue, set to be the centrepiece of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, had been compared to a bicycle helmet. But scepticism turned to anger as the stadium’s construction costs spiralled out of control, with one critic describing it as “a turtle waiting for Japan to sink so that it can swim away”.The celebrated British-Iraqi architect’s winning design for the venue, set to be the centrepiece of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, had been compared to a bicycle helmet. But scepticism turned to anger as the stadium’s construction costs spiralled out of control, with one critic describing it as “a turtle waiting for Japan to sink so that it can swim away”.
In the face of increasing public fury over the venue’s £1.3bn price tag, the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the project would be ditched. The decision means the stadium will now not be ready in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, throwing preparations for the tournament into disarray. In the face of increasing public fury over the venue’s £1.3bn price tag, the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the project would be ditched. The decision means the stadium will now not be ready in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, throwing preparations for the tournament into disarray. The National Stadium was planned to be main venue at the 2020 Summer Olympics
“We are scrapping our plans for the stadium, and starting from zero,” Mr Abe said. “The Olympics are a party for our people, and they and the athletes are the main players. We need to make it something that they can celebrate.”“We are scrapping our plans for the stadium, and starting from zero,” Mr Abe said. “The Olympics are a party for our people, and they and the athletes are the main players. We need to make it something that they can celebrate.”
Japan’s decision is the latest setback for Ms Hadid, whose firm has been criticised for working in countries with questionable human rights records. Last year her cultural centre in the Azerbaijan capital Baku was accused of causing the forced eviction of hundreds. She has also had to defend her decision to design one of Qatar’s World Cup stadiums following the deaths of hundreds of workers.Japan’s decision is the latest setback for Ms Hadid, whose firm has been criticised for working in countries with questionable human rights records. Last year her cultural centre in the Azerbaijan capital Baku was accused of causing the forced eviction of hundreds. She has also had to defend her decision to design one of Qatar’s World Cup stadiums following the deaths of hundreds of workers.
In a statement, Zaha Hadid Architects said it was “absolutely right” that the costs of the stadium were communicated to the Japanese public, but denied that the spiralling bill had anything to do with its elaborate design.In a statement, Zaha Hadid Architects said it was “absolutely right” that the costs of the stadium were communicated to the Japanese public, but denied that the spiralling bill had anything to do with its elaborate design.
“It is not the case that the recently reported cost increases are due to the design, which uses standard materials and techniques well within the capability of Japanese contractors and meets the budget set by the Japan Sports Council,” the firm added. “The real challenge for the stadium has been agreeing an acceptable construction cost against the backdrop of steep annual increases in construction costs in Tokyo and a fixed deadline.” “It is not the case that the recently reported cost increases are due to the design, which uses standard materials and techniques well within the capability of Japanese contractors and meets the budget set by the Japan Sports Council,” the firm added. “The real challenge for the stadium has been agreeing an acceptable construction cost against the backdrop of steep annual increases in construction costs in Tokyo and a fixed deadline.” Architect Zaha Hadid designed the Women Fashion Power exhibition
Building costs in Tokyo have spiralled upwards in recent years, fuelled by the sudden boom in new construction projects which followed the city being awarded the Olympic Games in 2013. World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, said it was “extremely disappointed” by the decision to scrap the stadium. It warned that it would have to “consider the options” before it decided what to do about the World Cup.Building costs in Tokyo have spiralled upwards in recent years, fuelled by the sudden boom in new construction projects which followed the city being awarded the Olympic Games in 2013. World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, said it was “extremely disappointed” by the decision to scrap the stadium. It warned that it would have to “consider the options” before it decided what to do about the World Cup.