ROHM Theatre Kyoto was officially opened to the public in January 2016.
ROHM Theatre Kyoto, that has been well known as the "Cultural Hall of Fame" over the past 50 years, has been refurbished into Kyoto Kaikan. It had its grand opening in 1960, and was designed by Kunio Maekawa, who is often referred to as the master of modern architecture. As the only hall in Kyoto prefecture that could seat 2,000 people, it was once popular as a facility. However, after being opened for 50 years, problems such as the general deterioration of facilities and hall functions becoming old-fashioned have surfaced, and it has become difficult to meet the needs of users and visitors.
As a result, Kyoto City came up with the "Kyoto Kaikan Redevelopment Plan" in 2011. Architect Hisao Kohyama was placed in charge of the project from basic design to on-site supervision, with the objective of balancing the rebuilding of the first hall along with the preservation of the value of this building that is representative of modern architecture in Japan. The overall structure such as the piers, courtyard, and buildings surrounding the courtyard were kept in place, but the interior space including the hall was given a brand new look with restoration works done to details in the exterior such as the horizontal elongated eaves. The glass spaces also serve to attract people and generate crowds by allowing people on the streets to easily see what is happening inside the venue.
The new main hall has a seating capacity of 2,005, with changes made to the stage area and height that were previously lacking, while keeping the hall exterior faithfully in place. The seats have also been spread across five floors in order to maintain the same seating capacity as before. With the main purpose to showcase performing arts such as ballet, opera, and musical performances, this multipurpose hall has created a dramatic space just like that of a Western classical theater.
With particular attention paid to creating the gentle rounded line that seems to hug the back of the guests, the seats used in the main hall are designed and custom made specially for ROHM Theatre Kyoto. Dark toned wood with vivid upholstery are used to make the hall space appear more glamorous and mature.
The team in charge of city facilities led the production of the upholstery along with inputs from Hisao Kohyama, with the designer specializing in textiles also providing some suggestions along the way.
The theme was decided as "Rinpa", which is famous for the “Wind God” and “Thunder God” folding screens. The Rinpa style born in Kyoto about 400 years ago is not a school that has been handed down like the Kano and Tosa schools, but was born by a special lineage of different artists appreciating the work of their predecessors.
The design of the seat upholstery was inspired by the "susuki" (Japanese pampas grass) in the "Sunset Susukihara" drawing by Kyoto that is done in the Rinpa style of Hisao Kohyama. The design that captures the sophisticated details of Rinpa is born from conversations with various cultures in Kyoto, and showcases a brilliant fusion of tradition and modernity.
In order to create the beautiful colors and movements of the golden ears swaying in the wind, the vermilion color of the moquette (thick pile fabric) in the shapes of the susuki was discolored, and a new color was put in place. Meetings were held in detail for many times as the image of the entire auditorium can shift from a red system to a yellow one if the thickness and color of the ears are just slightly off-balance.
This is the birth of a new hall that preserves both the history of Kyoto Kaikan, as well as the souls of artists that played a major role in influencing the Rinpa style in Kyoto.
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