Auditorium,
Yamaguchi University Hospital Building A

A multipurpose auditorium designed for both daily use and emergencies opens in Yamaguchi University Hospital’s new ward

In June 2019, Yamaguchi University Hospital opened its new Ward A, consolidating the hospital’s key functions into one advanced facility. Located on the first floor, the auditorium was designed to serve as a venue for events such as community concerts, academic conferences, and seminars in normal times, while being quickly convertible into approximately 200 square meters emergency treatment area during disasters. The facility’s disaster readiness is a standout feature, with emergency power and medical gas outlets installed in seven locations throughout the room and lobby.

To support both everyday and emergency use—two fundamentally different purposes—Kotobuki Seating’s Retractable Seating System, stacking chairs, and folding tables were selected for their versatility and functionality.

Fully Automatic Retractable Seating System for easy deployment and retraction

The Retractable Seating System can be extended into tiered rows or retracted flat against the wall. A fully automatic model was chosen, operated with a simple remote switch. Pressing the deployment switch unfolds the seats into seven rows totaling 154 seats; pressing the retraction switch automatically stows the seats against the auditorium’s rear wall.

The seats installed in the retractable system unit are Type L, featuring thick cushions for enhanced comfort. The 3D contoured backrests provide ergonomic support, while the generously padded seat cushions provide a pleasant seating experience. Each seat is also wider than standard auditorium chairs, offering a generous seat width of 540 mm.

For academic events like conferences and seminars, every chair is equipped with a retractable front table that accommodates up to A3-sized materials. These tables are stored in a box behind the backrest and can be quietly pulled out when needed. Thanks to their soft-close design, they help prevent accidental finger injuries and allow for smooth operation even during ongoing events. The simple, compact design of the storage box ensures that the seating area maintains a clean and uniform look, even when the tables are not in use.

The seat upholstery is a warm gray, while the front tables are white— evoking a calm, clean atmosphere suitable for a hospital setting.

Stacking chairs and folding tables enhance multipurpose flexibility

In addition to use in front of the retractable seating, the TS-1212 stacking chairs and SD-613FF2 folding tables can be arranged freely when the retractable seating is retracted, allowing for a more flexible layout.

The TS-1212 stacking chair shares the same aesthetic as the Type L seats, including natural wood accents on the back and armrests. The thick cushioning ensures a comfortable experience, and the upholstery color matches the retractable seats for a unified design.

The SD-613FF2 folding table features a "lift-up mechanism": gripping the lever under the tabletop reveals hidden casters stored inside the legs. When the casters are hidden, the table remains stable and prevents common issues with mobile tables, such as accidental movement or tripping. Because the table does not need to be folded to activate the wheels, layout changes can be made smoothly even with laptops or documents still on.

When not in use, the chairs and tables can be compactly stored. The TS-1212 chairs are stored using under-stage carts or dedicated transport dollies that hold six chairs each. The SD-613FF2 tables fold flat and nest in parallel, minimizing storage space requirements.

Facility overview

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