Ryukoku University Omiya Campus (Designated as an Important Cultural Property) (Seismic Retrofit, etc.)

Ryukoku University’s Nan-kō and Hoku-kō, designated as Important Cultural Properties, are student dormitories that were completed at the same time as the Main Building—which served as the main school building of Nishi Hongan-ji’s Daikyō School—and are currently used as school buildings. The Main Building, the South and North Dormitories, the Main Gate, the former guardhouse, and the connecting corridor form a complex that preserves the original landscape from the time of the school’s founding, and all of these structures are designated as Important Cultural Properties. Although they are cultural properties, it was necessary to ensure their safety as school facilities. The buildings feature a unique structure: wooden architecture in a pseudo-Western style. To preserve their outstanding landscape value as cultural properties, full-scale structural tests were conducted, and advanced structural analysis was performed to minimize reinforcement to the absolute minimum. This allowed us to preserve both the interior and exterior appearances as well as the surrounding landscape. Renovations were also carried out on the restrooms to improve comfort.