Multipurpose room 1,
Adachi City Ayase Elementary School

Apr. 07,2022

School and UniversityAuditorium

Project Description

A new flexible learning space in the new school building

Adachi City Ayase Elementary School celebrated its 60th anniversary in fiscal year 2022. The newly constructed school building includes not only standard classrooms, specialized subject rooms, and a gymnasium, but also distinctive multipurpose rooms designed to support a wide range of educational and community activities.

The largest of these, Multipurpose Room 1, is located just inside the main entrance, adjacent to the library. The entrance area, library, and Multipurpose Room 1 are separated by glass sliding walls, creating a bright and open atmosphere. When these walls are retracted, the spaces seamlessly merge into one expansive area.

The Retractable Seating System enables flexible configurations

To accommodate a variety of events such as student presentations, performances, lectures, and parent orientations, Multipurpose Room 1 is equipped with a Retractable Seating System with a capacity of 112 seats.

This manually operated tiered seating can be easily deployed and retracted as needed. A manual model was chosen to prioritize safety and ease of operation. The bench-style seats, which include backrests, are upholstered in a soft beige that complements the room’s natural wood accents and white-based color scheme, contributing to a warm and inviting environment.

Setup is straightforward: the seating platform is pulled out from its wall-mounted storage using a dedicated lever, and safety railings and side curtains are added to complete the configuration. This streamlined process significantly reduces the time and effort required for seating arrangements, allowing teachers and students to focus more on learning.

A space that encourages active, interactive learning

The tiered seating ensures clear sightlines, so students' views are not obstructed by those in front of them. At the same time, teachers can easily observe each student’s facial expressions. Compared to traditional flat-floor classrooms, this setting fosters a more engaging and interactive learning experience.

As ICT becomes increasingly integrated into education, students are gaining more opportunities to deliver presentations as part of their learning process. Multipurpose Room 1 offers a special setting that goes beyond the ordinary classroom, enhancing the learning experience for both students and teachers.

Facility overview

Adachi City Ayase Elementary School is located about a five-minute walk from Tokyo Metro’s Ayase Station, in a lively and vibrant neighborhood. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022, the school is one of the most historically significant in the district. Its educational mission is to nurture “smart, kind, and resilient children.”
In addition to structured instruction in practical and expressive subjects such as music, art, home economics, and language arts, the school also encourages cultural enrichment through extracurricular activities like the Hayashi (festival music) Club and the Brass Band Club.
A key principle in designing the new school building was to “create a school that evolves with the times.” The facility supports diverse learning styles and group activities, and is designed with flexibility to meet future educational needs. It is also designed for future use as a community or multi-purpose facility.