Architect: Kiyoshi Kurokawa
Lighting Design: Reiko Chikada Lighting Design, Inc.
Toyota City in Aichi prefecture in western Japan is known as “Car Industry City.” It is an active city – a sister city to Detroit in the U.S.A. - and is currently busy hosting World EXPO 2005.
The Yahagi River runs through the center of the city and along its banks is Toyota Stadium, which opened in June 2001. The stadium was designed by architect Kiyoshi Kurokawa to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the city’s founding. The 45,000 capacity stadium consists of six stories - two underground and four above - and is packed full of amenities: natural turf football field with retractable roof, movable full–color screen, restaurant, party room, and an indoor sports space that includes a swimming pool. Surrounding the stadium is a large open area, Toyota City Central Park, with a magnificent view of the modern Toyota Bridge.
Unique design
At each corner of the stadium are four large masts that point skyward to a height of 92 meters. The prominent pillars play more than an aesthetic role however. The masts support the main and back roofs and as a result no other pillars are needed. In other words, there are no obstructions and nothing to bother visitors’ field of vision no matter where they sit.
Exterior 600/200 colors
Early in 2005, the masts were dramatically reborn with the use of Martin Exterior series color changing luminaries as part of a total city lighting concept that includes non-Martin fixtures as well. Color projection is used to paint complementary colors to match the season, coordinate with nearby Toyota Bridge and as a general celebratory element for the World Exposition. Lighting was designed by Reiko Chikada Lighting Design, Inc.
Two 575-watt Exterior 600 fixtures with 12o lenses illuminate the top of each mast. Remarkably bright for such a long throw, the effective lighting distance was increased through the use of the narrow optical lens. Two Exterior 600’s with variable 22-38o lenses light the main body of each mast and one Exterior 600 with a 22-38o lens lights the bottom section of the pillars, beneath the roof. In order to bathe a wider area evenly, they are programmed at 38 degrees.
Two 150-watt Exterior 200 color changing lights with 60o lenses light the bottom section of each mast and one Exterior 200 with a 60o lens lights above and below the roof. The 60o lens allows for a wide throw flood beam.
Following the concept “To Link the Whole Globe,” the stadium turns a lovely emerald blue as the Toyota Bridge changes color close by. The lighting is designed to link the entire city in a unifying visual look. Every hour on the hour, the stadium, bridge and the city’s main street all display a harmonious, congruous color pattern. Furthermore, a variety of effects are programmed to match special events. For example, when local soccer team Grampus Eight takes the pitch, the whole city metamorphosis into the team color – red – in a lighting design strongly committed to the heart of the people.
12 x Martin Exterior 600 (22-38°)
8 x Martin Exterior 600 (12°)
12 x Martin Exterior 200 (60°)
