Case Study Vibration Isolation for the Kabukiza Theatre in Tokyo, (JP)

Reconstruction of Tokyo's historic Kabukiza Theatre dating from 1889

Elastic bedding for Japan's largest revolving stage

Vibration-isolating foundation bedding for various areas of the historic building Vibration Isolation for Japan's largest Revolving Theatre Stage

Description of the project The Getzner solution

Spring 2013 saw the renovation of the revolving stage had to be kept to a Getzner has created a great impres- Tokyo's Kabukiza Theatre completed. minimum. Other factors that had to be sion with this project – not only with "Kabuki" is the name given to the taken into account included the vibra- the quality of its materials, but also traditional type of Japanese theatre tions and noise generated by the with its skills in being able to predict enjoyed by the middle classes. One neighbouring underground lines, as and calculate the vibration factors in of the most famous examples is the these could penetrate into the interior advance. Kabukiza Theatre in Tokyo. of the theatre and reach the stage. The refurbishment of the revolving ull-surface foundation bedding on uring the most recent renovation stage in the Kabukiza Theatre has FSylomer® SR 28 was chosen for Dof the Kabukiza, three height-ad- made it the largest in Japan. Getzner the Kabukiza revolving stage. For justable stages of varying sizes were was responsible for the vibration isola- more than 40 years, Getzner has constructed, along with a further tion, working with its partner Nittobo been using this PU elastomer success- even larger height-adjustable stage Acoustic Engineering. Implementation fully in the rail, construction and in- and a new revolving stage. The revolv- of the project took place in coopera- dustry sectors. Compared to other ing stage was designed as a circular tion with Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Inc., solutions on the market, full-surface area in the centre of the stage and one of the largest planning ofices in foundation bedding on Sylomer® of- makes the process of changing stage Japan, and Nagata Acoustics Inc., a fers the technical advantage of a con- sets even faster and easier. world-famous acoustics consultant for sistently high isolation effect. This is theatres, opera houses and concert required in order to be able to load The prototype of today's revolving halls. stage is said to have been used in Osaka's theatres during the Edo peri- od (1603-1868) – long before other countries had discovered the idea.

Nowadays revolving stages are com- monplace for operas and musicals throughout the world. With a diameter of approximately 18 metres, the new revolving stage in the Kabukiza Thea- tre is roughly the same size as its pre- decessor, but four times deeper and therefore provides more space for all of the required technology. At a height of 16 metres it is as high as a four-storey building and weighs around 360 tonnes. To be able to enjoy perfor- Laying the first layer mances such as a "Kabuki" in peace of Sylomer® and without any disruption, the noises and vibrations caused when operating After concreting the Sylomer® for vibration isolation foundation bedding

Feedback the base area with the concrete stage What does Toshiko Fukuchi from in what was the fourth renovation of foundation and the weight of the re- Nagata Acoustics have to say about the theatre enabled the creation of an volving stage on Sylomer® for the the project? even better sound environment." long term. In the case of the Kabukiza Theatre, this equates to a load of sev- "When renovating the grand Kabu- Toshiko Fukuchi eral hundred tonnes. To protect the kiza building, which embodies our Director/Project Manager revolving stage from the risk of tilt- traditional and fundamentally Jap- Nagata Acoustics ing, Getzner also used high-tech cush- anese dramatic art form, the vibra- ioning materials on the side surfaces. tion-isolating polyurethane material

This measure ensures that, whatever Sylomer® from Getzner was used. This happens, there will always be a safe material displays outstanding perfor- distance between the main stage and mance and workability. The fusion of the revolving stage – even during an tradition and the latest technology earthquake.

Getzner materials were also used for the roof garden, foyers, entrances, machinery rooms and the building's multi-storey car park.

As Getzner used materials that were manufactured directly on site, it took just one week in total to install the vibration solution.

Applying the adhesive for the second layer of Sylomer®

The elastic Sylomer® layer is prepared for concreting.

Facts and igures at a glance

Reconstruction of the Kabukiza Theatre

Scope of the reconstruction: 29 loors (use: theatre, ofices, roof-top garden, shops, four-story car park in basement) Client: Kabuki-za Co., Ltd. & KS Capitol SPC Master Developer: Shochiku Co., Ltd. Execution planning/ construction monitoring: Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Inc./Kengo Kuma and Associates General contractor: Shimizu Corp. Vibration isolation: Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH & Nihon Getzner K.K. Cooperation for acoustic design: Nagata Acoustics Inc. Acoustic works: Nittobo Acoustic Engineering Co., Ltd. Services: Vibration calculations and forecasts, full-surface foundation bedding for revolving stage, elastic bedding for roof-top garden, foyers, entrances, machinery rooms, car park Completion: Spring 2013

Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH Construction references (extract from Japan)

Foundation: 1969 (as a subsidiary of Getzner, — National Training Centre (sports hall) Mutter & Cie) — Palace Hotels (swimming pool, chapel) Chief Executive Oficer: Ing. Jürgen Rainalter — Peninsula Hotels (swimming pool, kitchen) Employees: 340 — Tokyo American Club, Sports Centre 2015 turnover: EUR 77.9 million (swimming pool, fitness studio, kitchen) Business areas: Railway, construction, industry — QVC Japan (television studio) Headquarter: Bürs (AT) — Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. Locations: Berlin (DE), Munich (DE), Stuttgart (DE), (rotary printing press) Lyon (FR), Amman (JO), Tokyo (JP), — Kochi Newspaper (rotary printing press) Pune (IN), Beijing (CN), Kunshan (CN), — Sumida Aquarium (machinery room) Charlotte (US) Headquarter — Shibuya Hikarie (theatre) Ratio of exports: 85 % — Loop Road Kanjo No. 2 (four-lane urban motorway, high-rise building)

Credit for the title picture: Shochiku Co., Ltd. and Kabuki-za Co., Ltd.

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