Multi-purpose Hall,
Karumai Cultural Exchange Center, Ukamekan

"Ukamekan," a new regional exchange hub where multiple generations gather

The Karumai Cultural Exchange Center, “Ukamekan,” opened in December 2023 in Karumai Town, Iwate Prefecture, as a new community exchange hub. Built to replace the former central community center and library, the facility also includes an adjacent bus terminal, childcare support facility, and training room. Its exterior is defined by red bricks, a local specialty, while the open design featuring extensive glass allows activities inside the building to be visible from the outside. 
The Multi-purpose Hall, which inherits the functions of the previous community center, introduced a retractable seating system designed to accommodate a wide variety of uses for all generations. Since its opening, the hall has hosted concerts, orchestra performances, singing contests, movie screenings, and many other events.

Fully automatic retractable seating system for quick space conversion

The Multi-purpose Hall is a flexible venue that can accommodate up to 400 seats through a combination of a 300-seat retractable seating system and 100 folding chairs. 
The retractable seating is a fully automated recessed model, with 12 tiers stored within the wall that deploy instantly at the push of a switch. Because the seats are arranged in a tiered configuration, clear sightlines can be maintained even when folding chairs are placed in front.
For retraction, preparations are completed simply by removing the handrail on the top tier and folding the first step. The system then retracts automatically into the wall at the press of a switch, allowing a small number of staff to convert the space quickly. The folding chairs can be stored with their carts under the stage, and once everything is retracted, the hall can be used as a flat-floor space for exhibitions or dance.

Two types of seating that offer comfortable seating

The retractable seating system features the standard 5R seat. Its fit-back design, with an upper backrest that curves naturally, provides firm support to the user’s back. Polyurethane foam is used in both the back and seat, offering comfortable seating despite the slim profile. The seats also incorporate a gentle tip-up mechanism that allows them to rise slowly—a quiet design that reduces impact noise and vibration when vacated.
The folding chair model is the ORUCHE FD-310, which balances functionality and comfort. Despite being a folding type, it provides a rich sitting experience with a 50 mm-thick cushion and back pad. The cushion’s dual structure of polyurethane foam and resin fiber offers excellent breathability and weight distribution, making it especially popular among contemporary users, including seniors. Both seating types feature unified black upholstery, contributing to a calm, cohesive atmosphere within the warm hall space that highlights natural wood grain.

Facility overview

The Karumai Cultural Exchange Center, Ukamekan, is a multi-use facility created by integrating a hall, library, and bus terminal to serve as an exchange hub for Karumai Town, located at the northern end of the Kitakami Mountains. It is also a ZEB (Net Zero Energy Building)-compatible facility, helping reduce environmental impact through rooftop solar panels. At its opening in December 2023, an inauguration ceremony and commemorative event were held, with many residents celebrating the completion of the new hub. In the following year, the Imaru Café opened inside the building, offering dishes made with local ingredients. Ukamekan has since become a new symbol of Karumai Town, a place where people naturally gather and community interaction flourishes.

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