NEWS

Ceremony to Celebrate Completion of Renovation Works and Tour of the Science Hall

Update: February 28, 2024

With the completion of the Science Hall's renovation, which began on April 1, 2023, the ceremony to celebrate the renovated building was held on Monday, February 26.

Opened in 1967, the Science Hall mainly consisted of the research offices for the natural sciences faculty as well as their laboratories, but these facilities were transferred to the Troyer Memorial Arts and Sciences Hall in 2023.

The present renovation was based on the concept of creating new classrooms to ensure that while the University Hall becomes unavailable as it undergoes renovations in 2024, the Science Hall will have enough teaching space for classes to continue without interruptions. The Science Hall renovations involved improving the indoor environment by updating the facilities that have deteriorated over the years.

The renovation consisted of removing the existing walls and ceilings so that the previous laboratories and research offices of the natural sciences faculty, along with a total of seven small and large classrooms, were transformed into 48 classrooms and six seminar rooms (capacity: 12 people). In addition, equipment, including LED lighting, air conditioning, heat insulation, and window frames, was also completely updated. A barrier-free automatic door was installed on the southeast side of the first floor, facilitating the connection between the University Hall and the Troyer Memorial Arts and Sciences Hall.

Furthermore, since the Science Hall was selected in 2020 by DOCOMOMO JAPAN as one of the buildings that represent the Japanese modern movement in architecture, the building's original appearance has been maintained to conserve the Science Hall's design with its historical meaning.

Ceremony

The ceremony was attended by members from the university and construction company. It was led by Jeremiah L. Alberg, Acting Director of the Religious Center, and was followed by prayers offered by Mariko Yakiyama, University Minister. Subsequently, Tetsuo Harada, Executive Officer of Takenaka Corporation, the design and construction company, as well as Takashi Nakajima, ICU's Managing Trustee for Financial Affairs, gave their speeches and thanked everyone involved. This was followed by a sermon by Pastor Yakiyama, which was based on Psalm 127:1, and a prayer was offered so that God would protect the building and provide it with meaning.

Following on, ICU's President, Shoichiro Iwakiri, and subsequently, ICU's Chair of the Board of Trustees, Hirotaka Takeuchi, gave speeches thanking everyone involved, and they talked about the Science Hall's history and how they were glad that the versatile renovation of the Science Hall, which is filled with historical everyday life, will continue to provide a space for increasing human interaction. ICU's Chair Takeuchi then presented members involved in the design and construction of the building with a certificate of appreciation.

Tour

During the Science Hall tour which was held after the ceremony, participants had the opportunity to view the pendant lights and brick walls, which represent the building's original appearance, as well as the updated air conditioning, lighting, windows, carpet tiles, and the color-coded east, west, south, and north wings.

Filled with 57 years of memories, the creation of new classrooms in the Science Hall ensures that the preparations for the renovation of the University Hall are now complete. During the academic year of 2024, classes will be held mainly in the Science Hall and the Troyer Memorial Arts and Sciences Hall.