A base for community exchange and education for working professionals contributing to a vibrant city environment

https://www.sophia.ac.jp/eng/news/0215bldg15.html

Sophia School Corporation will conduct the construction of the three-story wooden Sophia University Building No. 15 on the site, east of Building No. 6 (Sophia Tower), aiming for completion in April 2022 and opening for use in June of the same year.

Our corporation is working to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations as in: introducing 100% renewable energy sources, making ESG investments based on the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and conducting energy conservation as for upgrading to high-efficiency air-conditioning equipment and adopting LED fluorescent lighting.

The decision was also made to build Building 15 in a wooden structure from the perspective of reducing CO2 emissions and promoting the recycling of forest resources with less environmental impact. As a sustainable landmark for the area, the building will contribute to the creation of a vibrant city environment as a base for adult education and community exchange.

The exterior design features a lattice with intersecting timbers of different thicknesses to convey “diversity,” “interaction with others,” “truth,” and “tradition,” which are linked to founding principles of our school. Wood generously used also in the interior creates a warm and comfortable space.

In addition to a café on the first floor that can be used by the public, the second and third floors will each have one classroom with a capacity of about 60 students.

Building 15, with its easy access facing Kojimachi Odori and its independent location from the campus, can be used for a variety of purposes, including evenings and holidays. Including lectures for “Professional Studies” for working professionals, the building will be used as a venue for various events and other extension studies.

In addition, as part of the contribution for the neighboring community, we plan to set up a disaster prevention warehouse on the first floor that can be used by the neighborhood associations.