Concert Hall (Renewed),
SUMIDA TRIPHONY HALL

Created under a franchise agreement with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra

Sumida Triphony Hall is located in front of Kinshicho Station in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.

The catalyst for the facility's creation was the 'Kokugikan Ninth Concert by 5,000 People,' held every February at the Kokugikan in the same ward. Against the backdrop of this leading cultural event in the country, in 1988 Sumida Ward announced its 'Music City Concept' for urban development through music. Sumida Triphony Hall was planned and constructed based on this concept.

At the heart of the Music City concept and the hall construction was a franchise agreement with an orchestra, which was unprecedented in Japan. Sumida Ward signed a franchise agreement with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (hereafter, New Japan Philharmonic), which was deeply involved in the 'Kokugikan Ninth Concert by 5,000 People', to use Sumida Triphony Hall as a base for its activities. Throughout the hall design process, opinions were actively exchanged. It is no exaggeration to say that the secret of the hall's reputation for 'its ability to clearly reproduce the timbre of each instrument' lies in its connection with the New Japan Philharmonic.

The New Japan Philharmonic still uses the Sumida Triphony Hall as a base for its performance activities. By conducting not only the rehearsals, but also regular performances on the same stage, they aim to achieve consistent sound creation.

1,801-seat Grand Hall to host classical concerts

The Grand Hall, the centerpiece of the facility, was created primarily for classical music performances. The architectural style is a blend of shoebox-type maximizing the sound quality, and an open stage unifying the stage and audience seating. The 1,801-seat auditorium has a three-tiered seating. The impressive balcony seats stretch straight up to the stage.

The custom-made seats designed for this hall are still in use even after 20 years of its opening. The backrests have a three-dimensional curved shape that snugly fits the human back. The wooden armrests are rounded and have a smooth feel. The legs are not independent but connected by a single beam in a linked-pipe configuration, creating ample legroom.

'Stability bars' for safe and secure seating

In recent years, as the aging of the audience has become more pronounced, a rise in incidents of elderly people tripping on the stairs on the third-floor have been noted, reflecting the passage of time since the facility's opening. To avoid such scenarios, we came up with the solution of installing 'stability bars'.

To ensure safe movement on the stairs, we have added sturdy stability bars to the backs of the seats on the aisle sides. However, if these obstructed the view from the seats and prevented the stage from being seen, it would spoil the whole concert experience. Therefore, we actually set up a full-scale model in the auditorium, and frequently engaged in careful visual inspections. We also repeatedly examined the height, size, and shape of these bars to ensure that they were easy-to-grasp for visitors.

After careful deliberation, the 'stability bars' were first introduced in Japan at the Sumida Triphony Hall in March 2014. We matched their color with the existing backrests to blend them naturally with the seating, making it impossible to tell that they are an addition.

Since the installation of the stability bars, the number of slip-off accidents has decreased sharply. This is the result of our commitment to creating seating where everyone can enjoy performances safely and securely.