Fukuoka Retractable Roof Stadium

Fukuoka, Japan

Takenaka Corporation, one of the largest engineering and construction firms in Japan, designed and built Japan's first retractable roof stadium. The roof design was based on a three-leaf concept, originally designed by PBK Architects Inc. (in association with Webb Zerafa Menkes Housden) which was first shown at the SkyDome design competition in Toronto, Ontario. SkyDome was the first retractable roof stadium in the world, and PBK's unique leaf design was a runner-up in the competition. Considered to be the most significant structure in the fast-growing region of southern Japan, the highly sophisticated motorized roof shelters 35,000 seats and 240 private-viewing suites. The stadium was designed to be flexible, capable of supporting baseball, soccer, and football games.