Nagoya International School (NIS), the only international school in Japan’s Chubu region offering a continuous K–12 education, has expanded its campus in recent years to meet the needs of its growing student body.
The new East Building, completed in August 2020, includes a multi-purpose hall (MPH) designed for maximum flexibility—an essential feature given the school’s spatial constraints. To accommodate a variety of uses, NIS adopted a Retractable Seating System that can be deployed or stowed depending on the event. This allows the hall to serve as an auditorium, gymnasium, or general event space.
The seating units were carefully selected by school stakeholders who personally tested various options. Their final choice prioritized both comfort and aesthetic appeal.
The seats are customized Type L seats, featuring thick polyurethane cushions for both the seat and backrest. Viewed from the front, the cushions are framed by a wooden back panel, lending the seating a refined, elegant appearance. A donor plaque has been installed to honor those who contributed to the construction of the East Building.
The vibrant green upholstery, inspired by the school’s signature “Dolphin Green,” echoes the exposed ceiling trusses and energizes the MPH located on the basement level. The hall’s walls combine mortar, concrete, and wood, and the wooden elements of the seating are color-matched with the floors and wall accents to create a cohesive interior.
Each seat offers a slightly wider-than-average width of 500 mm. Together with the generous cushioning and ergonomically shaped backrest, this design delivers a comfortable and supportive seating experience.
The Retractable Seating System includes a middle tier specification, allowing two layout options: all 13 rows (247 seats) or a partial setup with 7 rows (133 seats). This flexibility enables the hall to accommodate large school-wide events, smaller grade-level gatherings, or athletic activities when the seating is fully retracted.
When not in use, the seating unit folds neatly into a recessed storage space, flush with the architectural wall, preserving the hall’s clean, minimalist aesthetic. Remote-controlled operation allows for quick and effortless deployment or retraction, requiring only minimal staffing.
The MPH was put into use almost immediately after completion, beginning with a grade-level assembly in late August. Since then, it has hosted seasonal celebrations, performances, and student presentations. It has become a cherished venue where students from all grade levels come together to share their learning and talents. When the seating is retracted, the open floor can be arranged with tables and chairs to support collaborative work and maintain social distancing when necessary.
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