Grand Theater,
NAHArt - Naha Cultural Arts Theater

Birth of Naha city's new landmark - NAHArt

NAHArt - Naha Cultural Arts Theatre was relocated to Kumoji due to the aging of the former Naha Community Hall was inaugurated in October 2021. It was built as a hub for creating and disseminating performing arts such as plays, musicals, traditional arts, and music concerts, with the aim of energizing the people and the city and turning Naha into a more charming city.

The name "NAHArt" was chosen from among approximately thousand entries from citizens. The name expresses the wish that the citizens will feel affinity for the center as a hub of performing arts (ART) that will appeal to the Naha (NAHA) residents' hearts (HEART).

Mystical seating ambience reminiscent of the Okinawan sea

The 1,600-seat Grand Theatre is equipped with all basic facilities required for putting up a variety of performing arts performances. To create a sense of unity between the performers and the audience, the seating and equipment layout has been meticulously and carefully designed.

The theme of the interior is based on the castle Gusuku located in the middle of the Okinawan sea. The seating has been designed to resemble the ocean floor at the ground floor level, while the upper levels resembling the scenery as if one is getting nearer to the surface of the sea. Four-color upholstery placed in random gradation beautifully recreates the inside of the Okinawan sea.
The ceiling is a mosaic in light blue tones, representing the shimmering surface of the sea as seen from the ocean floor.

The chairs have been designed originally for NAHArt.
The design is based on the theme of the Okinawan sea. We worked with the design team and the city of Naha. Through a process of trial and error, we finalized a design that would express Naha's uniqueness.
The legs have a distinctive yet universal design that allows for easy passage of the audience. The seated person can duck the feet in the open space of the chair allowing others to pass swiftly in front of the seat.
The back is a three-dimensional curved surface that curves along the human back. The seat cushion is supported by wave springs that evenly distribute weight when seated. Also, the high-density molded urethane helps retain the shape of the seat. The ergonomically shaped back and seat provide not only visual beauty but also comfort for extended viewing.
The number plate is attached to the front, back, and top of the backboard. It is designed so that you can easily find your seat at a glance without getting lost in the large area.

Custom-made upholstery with wishes for the future

The upholstery is custom-made by FABRIKO, a textile designer for Kotobuki Seating.
We discussed the design team's idea of creating an image of a vivid coral reef spreading out on the bottom of the beautiful Okinawan sea. The shimmering of light entering the sea, the movement of waves, the spawning of corals - all together, forming a multi-colored picture, express the beginning of life and hope for the future. The project also hopes that people will take an interest in Okinawa's beautiful corals and pass them on to the future, as coral bleaching has become a problem in the region.

The Grand Theater at NAHArt - Naha Cultural Arts Theater offers a mysterious ambience created by beautiful color gradations. It is a perfect place to enjoy performing arts.
There are great expectations for this center, not only as a center for the dissemination of culture and the arts, but also as a place where the next generation can be nurtured and where people can gather and interact.

Facility Overview

NAHArt - Naha Cultural Arts Theater was created as a "cultural hub for sharing inspirations and emotions".
Created as a result of the dialogue between culture and arts professionals and the city, and in cooperation with other fields, the theater has now become a hub for "creating and transmitting local culture", "experiencing excellent culture and art", and "fostering and exchanging cultural and artistic values".
In addition to the Grand Theater as well as a small theater, the building is equipped with spacious and accessible studios and practice rooms.
During the "open theater" tour held for the public after the opening, a brief of the construction process and the cultural projects that took place in the city until the opening was shared with all those who visited.

Other Space

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