Some news from Populous as the firm opens a Tokyo office to service several clients, including a plan for a new Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters ballpark anchoring a mixed-use entertainment district.
“Japan offers a wealth of opportunity – strong culture, burgeoning sports scene, global tourist destination,” said Jeff Keas, Populous Senior Principal. “The world’s stage will shine its light here soon and we welcome an opportunity to share with Japanese community our design and event overlay expertise.”
Populous has been working with the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee since 2015 to advise them on the planning and design for all competition venues and several major non-competition venues. In providing overlay consultancy for the 2020 Olympic Games, Populous’ role is to ensure each venue and its surrounding context will comply with criteria mandated by the International Olympic Committee and International Federations.
“Our work to date has been focused on how to create a venue master plan that fits within the highly complex urban context of Tokyo as it relates to a multi-layered system of transportation, security, open space, credentialed access, services and the overall experience for all spectators and fans,” said Mako Ihara, Project Manager for Populous Japan. “This global expertise Populous brings to large-scale events and venues will make the 2020 Games a spectacular event.”
The new ballpark, announced in July, would be designed to maximize players’ performance on the field and international competitiveness within a mixed-use entertainment district.