Hakushu Hall,
Yanagawa Citizens' Cultural Center

Apr. 18,2024

Theater / Hall

Photo courtesy of Yanagawa Citizen's Cultural Center

Project Description

Yanagawa Citizens’ Cultural Center: built facing the canal of Suigo Yanagawa

The Suito Yanagawa citizens’ cultural center was opened in December 2020 in Suigo Yanagawa in Fukuoka Prefecture. The architectural concept of the building is “a stage in Yanagawa floating on water.” The facility was built in response to the deterioration of the old citizens’ center. It will now serve as a new cultural exchange hub in the city with its 803-capacity main hall, 200-capacity event hall, lesson rooms, studios and more.

Hall equipped with variable functions to increase the degree of freedom of events

The main hall has been named Hakushu Hall after the poet Kitahara Hakushu who was born in Yanagawa.

The first stage of the two-stage audience seating has 559 variable seats. The seats in the first five rows have a stage elevator mechanism. These are removable seats. This allows them to be removed from the floor. The seats from the sixth row backward are fixed to the floor. However, they have been installed on an air-floating wagon. This enables the seats to be moved together with the stepped floor.

The wagon is divided into several blocks. This enables free seating arrangements. For example, it is possible to change the direction and position of each block. It becomes a front stage when the stage elevator is lowered and the seats are stored under the floor. Furthermore, it becomes a flat floor when the seats from the sixth row backward are stored behind the stage together with the wagon. It can also be changed to a center stage or arena by placing the stage in the center of the floor and then setting up seats to encircle it. Moreover, it is possible to create a multi-functional hall not limited to conventional hall layouts by opening up the wall behind the audience seating to connect the hall and lobby with the outdoors as one, storing the stage acoustic reflectors, or combining variable functions other than the audience seating.

Hall seats chosen by Yanagawa City officials after comparing them

The TS-71 series was chosen as the seats for the audience seating in both the first stage and second stage. These seats feature a comfortable seating experience with their three-dimensional curved backrests designed based on ergonomics and seats with no feeling of bottoming out because of the in-built wave-shaped springs. Yanagawa City officials visited the Kotobuki Seating showroom to compare and choose various theater hall seats by trying them out.

The standard specifications were for upholstered seats. However, we customized the backs of the seats with natural wood to match the solid interior with its plentiful use of wood. In addition, we increased the wood area for the entire seats by setting the leg panels of the seats on the aisle side to be longer than the standard products. The color is a calm dark tone to match the louvered walls. The backrests of the seats on the aisle side on the second stage are equipped with handrails in the same color. This helps people ascending and descending the stairs.

The upholstery is an original custom-made design by a group company of Kotobuki Seating, FABRIKO. We were able to express the image of the canal of Yanagawa upon repeated discussions with the designer. We employed textured upholstery so that the color appears to change like the flow of a river. The navy-blue color blends well with the color of wood. It is reminiscent of a deep and calm moat.

We equipped reclining backs to the seats in the two central rows on the first stage and the last row in the center block so that they can be used to place control consoles and other equipment. In addition, we adopted staggered seating with half a seat offset from the seats in front to ensure a good view in the center block.

Facility Overview

Suito Yanagawa citizens’ cultural center was newly built due to the deterioration to the old citizens’ center and then opened in December 2020. The canal of Suigo Yanagawa famous for its river boat rides located on the north side of the facility combines with the carefree horizontal eaves and glass exterior to produce the architectural concept of the building of “a stage in Yanagawa floating on water.” The rear walls of both Hakushu Hall and the Event Hall in the building are sliding walls. When opened, it is possible to use them as a continuation of the shared lobby which is the main flow line in the facility and the courtyard filled with light and breezes.