A futuristic new stadium being planned in Fukushima aims to change the way modern sports facilities are built, by putting local wood, passive energy and the active involvement of the local community in the construction. The project was conceived by Japanese firm VUILD and was presented at the Venice Architecture Biennale as a model of regenerative architecture for the region hit by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. The stadium will be home to the Fukushima United FC team and according to the architects it will not only serve as a sports arena, but also as a symbol of the region’s recovery. The club’s emblem with the symbolic palm tree was used as inspiration for the architectural concept that aims to embody regeneration and a connection with nature.
Unlike traditional concrete and steel stadiums, the structure will be built almost entirely from local wood and recycled materials. The architects have eschewed the giant model of stands concentrated in a single mass, creating instead a modular system that resembles a series of two-story houses arranged around the playing field. The stadium's capacity has been deliberately limited to 5 spectators, so that the facility can integrate naturally with the surrounding landscape and maintain a more intimate human scale.
The stadium’s circular shape is inspired by traditional Chinese “Tulou” complexes, while the triangular roofs recall the historic architecture of the Japanese village of Ouchi-juku in Fukushima. One of the most unusual elements of the project is the method of construction. The wooden sections will be manufactured off-site and then assembled with the help of fans, residents and the local community, bringing back the Japanese tradition of collective construction. The stadium is also designed to operate with passive energy systems. The roof and walls are shaped in such a way as to take advantage of natural light and wind circulation, reducing the need for artificial air conditioning.
On the south side, the roof is lower to allow sunlight to penetrate the grass of the field, while on the north it extends to protect spectators from the intense summer heat. Another innovative element is the natural ice cooling system. A space will be built under the stands where ice created by natural cold air will be stored during the winter. During the summer, this ice will be used to cool the premises, significantly reducing energy consumption. The project also foresees the collection and recycling of rainwater for field irrigation and sanitary uses, aiming for maximum self-sufficiency.
The architects aim for the stadium to receive the international “Living Building Challenge” certification, one of the highest global standards for ecological and sustainable buildings. The engineering company Arup has also collaborated in the technical development of the project, using multi-parameter analysis to optimize the shape of the stadium, the thermal comfort of the spectators, air circulation and the reduction of the carbon footprint. According to the designers, the stadium represents a new model where sport, community and environmental sustainability come together in a single structure that aims to revitalize not only football, but also the very identity of Fukushima.
