Hall,
Akiha Ward Cultural Center

'The Satoyama Culture Hub' inspired by the Niitsu hills

Akiha Ward, Niigata City surrounded by lush green hills. It is said that the Jomon people once walked along the Niitsu hills, which cover the Shimoetsu and Chuetsu regions. Today, a gently sloping promenade has been constructed that goes along with the present-day lifestyle of residents.

In September 2013, the  Akiha Ward Cultural Center was opened with the goal of promoting new regional culture, community exchange, and revitalization activities. The architecture, reminiscent of a promenade going around the Niitsu hills, has been designed by Chiaki Arai. It has been built as the 'Satoyama Culture Hub' for nurturing the local culture. In the year following its opening, the center won the Good Design Award, and the 29th Murano Togo Prize in 2016.

The building has a backstage corridor, rehearsal rooms, dressing-cum-conference rooms, and a lobby - all built around the central hall. Each room can be accessed from both the backstage and the lobby making the entire space versatile for any type of usage.

Beautiful interior reminiscent of the Satoyama cave

The 496-seat hall features a cave-like interior. Both, walls and ceiling have a raw concrete finish with finely textured parallel lines.

The acoustics are meticulously measured and planned taking into consideration even the subtle angles and reflections of the walls ensuring that the sound can be nicely heard from every corner of the hall. The aluminum panels fitted in the openings of the hall absorb and soften the sound to render acoustics tuned at a very granular level. Occasionally, these panels reflect the light creating an effect of sunbeams streaming through leaves.

Audience seats designed like vibrant autumn leaves

The seats have been originally designed for the Akiha Ward Cultural Center. The shape of the rounded backrest creates an auditorium space that looks like a row of small hills. The backs of the seats and backrests are made of natural wood painted in the same color as the chair's upholstery.

The upholstery that shines brilliantly depending on the viewing angle and the light features a multicolored jacquard weave. The design takes its inspiration from a photograph of autumn leaves suggested by a professional textile designer. The entire design basically has the motif of 'Satoyama Culture Hub'. The two types of upholstery fabrics have been used with red and orange tones, respectively, and a subtle hint of green woven in. It creates a mesmerizing seating ambience as if sunbeams are streaming through autumn leaves making them shimmer like stained glass.