NEWS

The Diffendorfer Memorial Hall (East Wing) Wins the BELCA Prize

Update: March 3, 2023

The Diffendorfer Memorial Hall (East Wing), which is owned by our university, was awarded the BELCA prize (long-life section).

The BELCA award is awarded by the Building and Equipment Long-life Cycle Association which selects exceptional buildings from among existing buildings that have gone through outstanding renovations, including implementing an appropriate preservation approach over a long period of time.

The Diffendorfer Memorial Hall (East Wing) was the first comprehensive student hall to be conceived in Japan and its design reflects the characteristics of modernist architecture which was in vogue around 1960, and furthermore, the plan of this unique building symbolizes the founding philosophy of the International Christian University. The aim of the two large-scale renovations which took place in 2000 and 2021 was to ensure that the building remained earthquake-resistant and to also update the facilities, and the renovations were carefully carried out by the successors of the original architect in order to maintain the value of the original building. Following on from the large-scale renovations, the hall is currently used for various events, and contains rooms for student clubs and the church office. Widely known as the "D kan (D building)", it is also actively used as a place of interaction for students and faculty members.

While taking care to maintain the design of the original building, the recent renovations include an elevator accessible with wheelchairs, and bathrooms accessible for special needs, and the installation of an automatic door entrance to create a barrier-free environment. Furthermore, the completion of the renovation provided the university with the opportunity to reconfirm the architectural value of the building with the aim of ensuring its continuity, and the university's endeavor to continue promoting the building's value through activities such as notices in the building, campus tours, and historical classes also received praise and was a factor for winning the prize.

The Diffendorfer Memorial Hall (East Wing) was selected for the 2016 DOCOMOMO Japan and in 2022 the building was designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure).

Completion of building	1958
Architect	W.M. Vories & Company
Awards	2016: DOCOMOMO Japan "Buildings of the Modern Movement in Japan"　Related News 2022年: Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure)　Related News