Audiovisual room,
Fuchu Higashi High School

Dec. 01,2020

School and UniversityAuditorium

Project Description

A multipurpose space supporting both academics and extracurricular activities

In June 2020, Fuchu Higashi High School in Tokyo opened a new audiovisual room on the second floor. Previously located on the third floor, the old room served a variety of purposes—including lessons using multimedia content, school information sessions, and extracurricular activities such as dance and brass band club practices and performances.

With the original school building showing signs of deterioration after more than 45 years of use, the facility was rebuilt to enhance usability, improve the learning environment, and further energize extracurricular programs.

Flexible space enabled by a fully automatic retractable seating system

To support these goals, the school installed a fully automatic retractable seating system. Unlike fixed seating, this retractable system folds neatly into a wall cavity or beneath a stage, allowing for far more flexible use of space.

The fully automatic system deploys and retracts both the platform and seats at the push of a button. A remote control with an LCD interface and voice guidance makes operation intuitive and accessible for any user. When not in use, the seating is completely flush with the wall, preserving a clean and streamlined appearance.

When deployed, the tiered configuration ensures clear sightlines from every seat—ideal for audiovisual-based instruction. When retracted, the room transforms into a spacious, open floor area, perfectly suited for activities such as dance practice. This easy transformation allows the room to serve both academic and extracurricular purposes efficiently.

Optional features like front panels, side enclosures, and sliding steps are designed to blend seamlessly with the wall surface, contributing to a polished and cohesive overall look.

In addition, one side of the aisle features LED guide lighting. Its diffused glow illuminates the floor evenly, improving visibility and safety during low-light conditions—an aspect the school has praised for enhancing student well-being.

Durable, comfortable seating for year-round use

The room is equipped with 132 seats from the Type S standard series, widely adopted in school gyms and auditoriums for their durability and dependability. Upholstered in mesh fabric, the seats offer excellent breathability and strength. The air-layer construction helps maintain comfort in any season, while the tight weave resists snags from pens or keys—making the seats highly practical for daily student use.

Each seat is designed to lower the seat pan and gently recline the backrest when occupied, offering ergonomic support even during extended use. When folded, the seat has a compact depth of just 120 mm, allowing for wider aisles and easy movement—ideal for short breaks between classes. This user-centered design has been well received.

Facility overview

Fuchu Higashi High School is a public Tokyo Metropolitan school recognized for its strong academics and vibrant extracurricular activities, including notable programs in boxing and traditional Japanese taiko drumming. A highlight of the newly rebuilt campus is the promenade from the main gate to the entrance hall, framed by a distinctive L-shaped structure that welcomes students while complementing the building’s low-profile roofline.
This architectural motif is echoed throughout the campus, creating a unified visual identity. To foster a calm and comfortable learning environment, locally sourced Tama wood is used extensively in ceilings and walls, adding warmth while emphasizing sustainability.