Japanese officials have selected a wooden lattice design by Kengo Kuma for the new National Stadium in Tokyo, which will be the centrepiece for the 2020 Olympics.
According to local sources, the decision to award the job to Kuma ? one of Japan's leading architects ? was announced this morning in a government cabinet meeting.

His design had been revealed just days before as one of two finalists in a new competition organised after the Japanese prime minister scrapped plans for a stadium design by British architect Zaha Hadid.
The other design in contention was created by Toyo Ito, another of Japan's most famous contemporary architects.

Both designs had officially been presented anonymously, but commentators were quick to match the names to the schemes based on the style of each architect.
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Kuma, who is known for his use of natural materials, created an oval design with a latticed framework that appears to be made at least partly from wood. Circulation areas around the edge of each level also feature plants and trees and exposed terraces.

Ito's design favoured modern materials, with an undulating ring of transparent roofing around the roof's central opening.
The designs were assessed by a review panel assembled by the Japan Sport Council, which included architecture and landscape design professionals.

According to the Japan Times "Japanese-ness" was a key factor in choosin...