Small Gymnasium and Auditorium,
Niigata Daiichi Junior High School, Niigata Daiichi High School

A new learning hub: A small gymnasium that doubles as an auditorium

Founded in 1977 as the first combined junior high and high school in Niigata Prefecture, Niigata Daiichi Junior High School and High School has guided many students with its educational philosophy of "sincerity and fortitude" and "self-reliance and self-governance." After 40 years, however, the school buildings had deteriorated significantly. The decision was made to rebuild, aiming to create a richer learning environment that accounts for recent changes in education and the importance of ICT integration. Construction began while the existing buildings were still in use, and in March 2022, the central building, south building, and main gymnasium were completed. As a visual symbol of the founding principle of "literary and military arts," the buildings feature a vaulted roof. The exterior design, with its emphasis on horizontal lines, represents accumulated stability.
On the sixth and seventh floors of the central building, a two-story atrium, a small gymnasium was created to serve a dual purpose as both a gymnasium and an auditorium. Before the reconstruction, the gymnasium had to be converted into an auditorium for events by manually setting up pipe chairs, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive. With the new building, a retractable seating system and an electric storage stage were introduced to allow for the smooth, multi-purpose use of the space. Although the arena space has court lines for ball sports, it can be comfortably used for grade-level meetings, lectures, and school events. It is the only private combined junior high and high school in Niigata Prefecture to have a retractable seating system.

A retractable seating system with simple, comfortable chairs

The retractable seating system consists of tiered seating that can be deployed and retracted. As a fully automated system, pressing the deployment button causes the tiered seating to emerge from a dedicated storage space in the rear wall of the small gymnasium. Pressing the retraction button, folds the chairs and stores them neatly against the wall. Most of the side handrails are also electrically stored, allowing for quick setup and removal with minimal effort, making it easy to transform the room for different purposes. The system has 450 seats, enough to accommodate an entire grade. There is a horizontal walkway on the 11th tier, ensuring smooth passage within the seating area. The tiered arrangement provides a clear view of the stage from every seat, which has been praised for enhancing the sense of immersion during lectures and classes.
The chairs installed are the Type S, which offers a simple design and comfortable seating with polyurethane cushions. The red textile upholstery brightens and enlivens the space. The breathable mesh material provides comfort by preventing stuffiness during long periods of sitting and durability that resists snagging. When the seats are unoccupied, they fold vertically against the backrest, balancing comfortable seating with ample passage space.

An electric stage that folds and stores into the wall

The stage at the front of the small gymnasium is a wall storage stage (DS-100). Though large, measuring 12,000 mm in width, 4,500 mm in depth, and 600 mm in height, it can be deployed and retracted with a single remote control, just like the retractable seating system. When stored, the stage floor folds in half and is neatly embedded into the wall. When deployed, it becomes a spacious, elevated platform perfect for lectures and presentations.

Facility overview

Niigata Daiichi Junior High School and High School is a private combined junior high and high school located in Chuo Ward, Niigata City. The school places a strong emphasis on international education and ICT integration, with a new school building completed in 2022 featuring the latest equipment. The exterior is notable for its exposed concrete finish and large windows that create a bright, open space, a design adapted to Niigata City's climate, which experiences heavy precipitation and limited sunlight. The school also has many individual study spaces to encourage independent learning, supporting diverse educational needs within a comfortable and fulfilling learning environment.

Related Products

Back to list