Studio Theatre,
TAKASAKI CITY THEATRE

Jun. 16,2022

Multipurpose Hall

Photography/Shinozawa Architectural Photo Office

Project Description

Studio theater accommodates everything from standing events to stage performances

In September 2019, the Takasaki City Theater opened at the east exit of Takasaki Station.
The Studio Theater is a black box-style space that can be used for a variety of activities. To make it comfortable for hosting a wide range of performances from standing events like rock concerts to theater, Noh plays, and dance performances, we fitted stepped retractable seating. When expanded, it accommodates 568 seats and if retracted, it can be used as an open floor that can accommodate up to thousand people.

Highly flexible seating with three modes of retractable seats, and stacking chairs

The retractable seating is fully automatic, and can be operated by a remote control. Anyone can quickly and easily operate the retractable seating using the remote control with an LCD screen and voice guidance. Depending on the event, you can choose any mode from the three available ones, namely: 10 rows of 243 seats, 6 rows of 153 seats, or 3 rows of 76 seats. When all 10 rows of 243 seats are deployed, a staircase can be set up at the end of the aisle behind the last row connecting the last row to the upper floor so that the audience can reach their seats swiftly.
Stacking chairs can be flexibly arranged in front of the retractable seating to accommodate even more people. The system retracts into the rear wall of the Studio Theater, while the stacking chairs can be stored inside the elevating stage opening up space for standing events that need no seating. The stage is divided into three sections due to which the stage depth can be varied. This enables diverse performances to be staged.

Amply comfortable chairs encased in a woven-patterned upholstery

Chairs of Type L are mounted on the retractable seating. To match this Type L design, you can also set up the TS-1212 stacking chair for 226 seats in front of the retractable seating and the fixed seating chair TS-8282L on the second floor with 98 seats. Both of these are the most popular key products among Kotobuki Seating's theater and hall seats. The three-dimensional curved backrest that snugly fits the human back, and the rich cushions filled with urethane provide ample seating comfort. The natural wood painted dark to match the black box space exudes a quality that goes well with the grace of the fixed seating, even though it is a non-uniform seating.
The upholstery of the chairs is designed by textile designers from Fabriko Co., Ltd. The slight unevenness caused by the weaving method and the use of threads with varying luster make the pattern subtly visible and hidden depending on the angle of view. The chic charcoal gray color of the fabric blends well with the space and is less noticeable when it is dark. The polyester material is durable and has a smooth texture, making it comfortable to sit on even after long hours of watching performances.

Facility Overview

The Takasaki City Theater, inheriting and evolving the history and spirit of the Gunma Music Center built in 1961, opened in September 2019 and it creates and spreads a new urban culture in Takasaki. Located at the east exit of JR Takasaki Station, it has excellent accessibility. In addition to the Grand Theater, Studio Theater, and Music Hall, there are nine other studios. Great expectations are pinned on this complex as a place for "appreciation, creation, and sharing" of various genres of music and performing arts in Takasaki, a "City with music".