11) Modernity, space and national representation at the Tokyo Olympics 1964, by C. Tagsold,

The Olympic Games are mega events that serve as a trigger for large scale urban improvements, and this is just what Japan needed following WWII. They needed to show the world how they had developed over the 19 years following the war and express the modernity and sophistication of their city, which could be reflected by the architecture of their venues.

It is interesting to see how they linked history with modernity and carefully picked the geographical location of stadiums. With the main grounds being built at Shibuya and Shinjuku, in close proximity to the shrine dedicated to the Emperor Meiji. These locations meant that the games would replace history and that they would be placed in historical context. This again reiterates to me how important context research is.

I particularly like the design of the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, which is a beautiful hybridisation of western modernist aesthetics and traditional Japanese architecture.  Its innovative structural design creates dramatic sweeping curves that drape from central supporting cables, creating a stunning piece of architecture.

Yoyogi National Gymnasium (Jamie Barras, 2008)

Image reference:Jamie Barras, (2008), Yoyogi National Gymnasium [ONLINE]. Available at:http://www.archdaily.com/109138/ad-classics-yoyogi-national-gymnasium-kenzo-tange/ [Accessed 24 February 15].