Citizen-Led Campaign Proposes New Use for Kenzo Tange's Kagawa Gymnasium, Facing Demolition
Briefly

The Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium, designed by Kenzo Tange, is slated for demolition after its closure in 2014 due to roof leaks and structural safety concerns. Preservation efforts include a petition by the World Monuments Fund and a past effort for UNESCO recognition. The gymnasium is recognized as a Brutalist landmark of Japan's postwar architecture, featuring a distinctive upward-curving concrete roof and an interior supported by cantilevered beams. Demolition plans advanced following a budget approval by the prefectural assembly, despite appeals for conservation.
The Kagawa Prefectural Gymnasium, designed by Kenzo Tange, was closed in 2014 due to structural issues stemming from a roof leak and earthquake risks.
Efforts to preserve the gymnasium include a petition by the World Monuments Fund and attempts to nominate it as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
Despite the historic significance of the gymnasium, the Kagawa Prefectural Government has moved forward with plans for its demolition, initiating a bidding process.
The gymnasium, renowned for its Brutalist architecture, has been celebrated for its design which resonates with Japan’s postwar modernization, particularly in relation to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Read at ArchDaily
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