Multi-Purpose Hall,
Ainoura Community Center

Jul. 17,2018

Multipurpose Hall

Project Description

*Note: As of May 2023, the "Divider" has been renamed the "Dividing Curtain" (nickname: SIKIRUTO).
For consistency, the term "Divider" is used here as it was at the time of this article's publication.

"Ai Ai Plaza" – A Community Hub in Northern Sasebo

On May 7, 2018, the Ai Ai Plaza, a multi-purpose community complex, opened in the Ainoura district of Sasebo City.

The facility was built to replace the deteriorated Ainoura Branch Office and public hall. Combining the functions of both, Ai Ai Plaza serves as a new, integrated hub for administrative and community activities.

In addition to housing a branch office of the city hall, the facility features a multipurpose hall, library, martial arts room, lecture rooms, Japanese-style rooms, and a kitchen. It is expected to serve not only the Ainoura district but also the broader northern area of Sasebo City.

Creating a Multipurpose Hall for Diverse Events

To the left of the community center entrance lies the largest space in the facility: a multi-purpose hall with a capacity of 700 people.

During the planning phase, local residents expressed a strong desire to retain the functionality of the former Ainoura Public Hall, which had been adjacent to the old branch office. In response, we worked to incorporate that feedback. As a result, a combination of Retractable Seating Systems, stacking chairs, and a divider—referred to at the time as the "Divider"—was introduced, resulting in a highly flexible event space.

The hall can accommodate three badminton courts and is designed with a layout that feels neither too large nor too small—an ideal scale for community use.

Enhancing Event Versatility with Movable Bleachers, Stacking Chairs, and the Divider

The multipurpose hall usually functions as an open-floor space, used for recreational sports such as badminton, table tennis, and kendo.

When needed, Retractable Seating Systems—retracted at the rear of the hall—can be rolled out, and stacking chairs arranged in front of them to create seating for up to 700 people, making the space suitable for lectures, performances, and other cultural events.

The Retractable Seating Systems are easily deployed with a remote control: simply plug in the control unit and press a button. In about two and a half minutes, 252 seats can be deployed, significantly reducing the time and effort required for event setup. The seats are tiered, ensuring that even those seated in the back have a clear view of the stage without obstruction. The entire system is forward-movable, meaning they can be positioned toward the front of the hall when only a partial area is needed, allowing for spatial flexibility.

The stacking chairs were originally developed for use in arena-style seating. Designed so that the body naturally tilts slightly upward when seated, they feature a 3D curved seat and backrest that conform to the human body, offering comfort even during long events. When not in use, the chairs can be stored on trolleys that fit under the stage, keeping storage space efficient.

At the center of the hall hangs the Divider. This motorized curtain descends from the ceiling to split the hall into two separate areas, enabling simultaneous use for different activities or events. The curtain is double-layered to absorb impacts—such as from balls or people—minimizing disturbances between the divided spaces. Additionally, because it reaches fully from ceiling to floor, the divider allows temperature control in each half of the hall. This makes it possible, for example, to host badminton matches without air conditioning on one side while running a cooled event on the other—something that would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

By combining the Retractable Seating Systems, stacking chairs, and Divider, the multipurpose hall offers exceptional flexibility. There has been growing interest among residents in hosting events using the Retractable Seating Systems, and this versatile space is expected to see even more active use in the future.