Main Hall,
Toyama International Conference Center

Dec. 19,2022

Conference Room

Project Description

Seating renovation in continuance with existing seats

Toyama International Conference Center is a user-friendly conference center, easily accessible from the station. It has been used for a wide range of purposes, from local to global events where people from all over the world gather, as the authorities of Toyama Prefecture and Toyama City work together to support the hosting of conventions. In 2020, a large-scale renovation project was undertaken on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Conference Center and the seats in the Main Hall were upgraded. In this renovation, we renewed the seating area (back, armrests, and seat), using the existing leg parts fixed to the floor. We took an eco-friendly approach of not wasting anything that could be utilized, while preserving the overall look and feel of the hall and making functional improvements to maintain the image of the hall as it has always been.

Conference hall with an original design

The Main Hall is a large hall spanning the third and fourth floors and can accommodate 825 people. The entrance to the hall with stairs leading up from the foyer is located in the middle of an intermediate passageway that stretches horizontally through the hall. Designed in the form of a staircase, the seats are arranged polygonally at different heights surrounding the stage, providing a clear view of the stage from every seat. Everybody is easily able to see each other; this creates an atmosphere where people can share the zeal of exciting meetings and immerse themselves in the proceedings.

What further distinguishes the Main Hall is the design of the seats. The upholstery covering the back and seat of the seatings has the traditional bright blue color, with yellow and orange square dots accentuating the special design. The patterned, straight lines of the upholstery, which are carefully positioned on each seat, match the design of the seats and the seamless arrangement of the seatings, creating a spectacular sight.

The seat has an overall linear shape, but the backrest has a distinctive form with a bulging surface. Like the front, the lower portion of the upholstered back is covered by a wooden panel to further accentuate the beauty of the seating.

The seating space for one person is designed with generous widths of 570 mm and 600 mm, suitable for a global conference center. The large and wide armrests are padded with upholstery for each seat on either side. The renovation has also improved comfort by modifying the features provided in each seat. Unlike the existing product, the seat number plate at the top of the backrest has been changed from black to transparent, blending with the upholstery design and harmonizing with the seat. The blue color of the upholstery is transparent, and the numbers in white stand out clearly and stylishly. The armrests have a retractable memo pad, which can be used during meetings. The edge of the memo pad, which is pulled out from the bottom of the armrest, has an uneven, jagged edge to make it easy to drag it outward effortlessly with your fingers. This form was decided after making and testing several prototypes. The shape of the memo pad is also modified to make it easier to place A4 size documents on it vertically. Additionally, electrical outlets are provided below the armrests for electronic devices such as computers and tablets.

Incorporating features that meet the needs of the times is also essential for maintaining and improving comfort.We hope that meetings will continue to be held in a lively atmosphere with new and more comfortable seats that maintain a familiar-for-many-years design.

Facility Overview

Toyama International Conference Center is located on Joushi Main street, which runs straight from JR Toyama Station, past the City Hall, the Prefectural Citizens' Auditorium, and the Prefectural Government Office, at the end of the large Toyama Castle Ruin Park. This area is a hub of culture, information, and economy with civic plazas and hotels line up in the vicinity. The Toyama International Conference Center was designed by architect Fumihiko Maki (Maki & Associates) and was completed in 1999. There are four levels above the ground and in addition to the Main Hall, there are a variety of conference rooms including multipurpose conference rooms and special conference rooms, for a wide range of purposes. It is a multi-functional conference center that can accommodate various meetings and events such as international conferences, national conventions, and academic conferences, as well as lectures, training sessions, and exhibitions. The facility also has spaces that encourage people to interact with each other such as a foyer and an interaction gallery.

Project Summary

Location: Toyama City, Toyama Map

Renewal Open: Mar, 2020

Seats: 825
(431 seats on 3rd floor, 394 seats on 4th floor)

Client: TOYAMA OTEMACHI CONVENTION Co., Ltd.

Renovation Design: Sugiura Architects and Associates

Furniture Design Supervisor: Fujie Kazuko Atelier Co., Ltd.

Special Website: Toyama International Conference Center Website

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