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Main Hall (Renewed),
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

Mar. 06,2015
Theater / Hall

Project Description

In December 2014, the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan reopened after having been closed for about six months for the renovation of its facility and equipment. The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan was built in April 1961 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the city's designation as the capital. For more than half a century since then, the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan has been hosting great performances including operas, ballets, and classical concerts of globally acclaimed artists.
 
The building is also famous for its modernist architecture designed by a Japanese architect Kunio Maekawa (1905-1986), and is revered by many in and outside Japan as 'Music and performing arts of Fame'.
The Tokyo Bunka Kaikan got its facelift after 15 years since its last large-scale renovation in 1999. In light of the Great East Japan earthquake, the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is now fully earthquake-proof. Cleaning of the exterior walls; reinforcement of the ceiling of the main hall against earthquakes; and upgrading of facilities including air conditioning, water supply & drainage, stage equipment, lighting have made the hall safer and more comfortable for its visitors.
Kotobuki Seating helped in refurbishing the chairs.
 
A change in chairs can significantly impact the acoustics of a hall. Hence, this project was yet another challenge for us to ensure that the original high-class acoustics of the hall remained unimpacted after the renovation. In the main hall that hosts a wide variety of performances, including operas, ballets, and classical concerts, the upholstery and cushions of the chairs were replaced to revive and make the seating more comfortable. The metal fittings of the legs were repainted and reused.
 
The seating in the main hall spreads over 5 floors and the top 5th-floor is significantly high and has a steep slope. The shape of the chairs here is thus different from that of the chairs on the 1st-floor.
The color scheme, which is mainly red combined with a few yellow, green, and purple seats, was designed to resemble a flower garden. The scattered-color scheme compared to unicolor makes even vacant seats appear occupied adding some liveliness, for example during rehearsals when nobody is in the audience. The reupholstered and repainted chairs have regained their beauty making the venue colorful.
 
The reliefs decorating the right and left walls of the hall are artworks of the sculptor Ryokichi Mukai. The reliefs also serve as an acoustic diffuser and have had an overwhelming presence in the hall since the beginning.

Project Summary

Location
Taito-Ku, Tokyo Map
Client
Tokyo
Design
MAYEKAWA ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
Opened
Dec, 2014
Seats
2,303
Opened
Special Website
  • Tokyo Bunka Kaikan website

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