Auditorium and Gymnasium,
Higashi Chikushi College

“Auditorium and Gymnasium" at Higashi Chikushi College

Higashi Chikushi College, with a history spanning over half a century in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, is known for its specialized education, including departments for Childcare and Food and Nutrition, as well as a department for Beauty Fashion Business and a major in Care Work. In April 2019, an Auditorium and Gymnasium was newly constructed on the lush campus, where many older, historically significant buildings still stand. The location is a familiar spot for students—the former site of the tennis courts.

Retractable seating system introduced to support both auditorium and gymnasium functions

The facility consists of two levels, with the first floor being large enough for two basketball courts. The key feature that allows this space to function as both an auditorium and a gymnasium is the retractable seating system—tiered seating that can be stored in the wall. A total of 450 seats, across a width of 18 meters and 15 tiers, can be retracted and deployed with the push of a remote control.

The retractable seating system introduced is a Laser Guided Traveling Model that can not only deploy and retract but also adjust its installation position. It can be moved and set up in the rear, center, or front of the floor. When maximum seating capacity is required, the retractable seating system is deployed at the rear, and movable chairs are arranged in front of it, creating approximately 1,200 seats on the first floor. For smaller events, the retractable seating system can be deployed closer to the stage, creating 450 seats. Since the retractable seating system has a level difference in each row, the worry of the stage being obstructed by the heads of people in front is greatly reduced compared to arranging stacking chairs on a flat floor. This allows for the creation of seating with good sightlines while flexibly adjusting the number of seats according to the scale of the event.

The chairs mounted on the retractable seating system are a type where the back and seat fit tightly together to be compact when unoccupied, offering the advantage of a wider passage space. Furthermore, in response to the college staff's request for efficient access, four vertical passageways were incorporated into the retractable seating system. This allows for smooth movement to and from the seats, providing peace of mind when a large number of people gather.

The second floor has 220 seats of fixed seating. Chairs in good condition were selected from the former auditorium, and the stopper rubber and screws were replaced before they were covered with new upholstery. When all the retractable seating system seats are retracted, the first floor transforms into a flat gymnasium floor. It can be used for physical education classes and sports club activities, which can be viewed from the fixed seating on the second floor.

Movable stage to expand usage

The ingenuity to combine the two functions of an auditorium and a gymnasium was applied not only to the seating but also to the stage. A movable stage was introduced, which can be used in combination with the fixed stage. The stage units, sized 1,000×2,000 millimeters, can be set up at one of five height levels—200, 400, 600, 800, or 1,000 mm—depending on the purpose. By arranging 12 movable stage units vertically like a walkway from the center of the fixed stage, they can be used as a runway for a fashion show during the school festival.

Higashi Chikushi College provides many opportunities for student presentations. The facility is expected to be widely utilized for various events and as a venue for formal occasions.

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