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 thehistoric buildingVibration Isolation for Japan'slargest Revolving Theatre Stage

Description of the project
Spring 2013 saw the renovation ofTokyo's Kabukiza Theatre completed.
"Kabuki" is the name given to the
traditional type of Japanese theatre
enjoyed by the middle classes. Oneof the most famous examples is theKabukiza Theatre in Tokyo.
uring the most recent renovationof the Kabukiza, three height-adjustable stages of varying sizes wereconstructed, along with a further
even larger height-adjustable stage
and a new revolving stage. The revolving stage was designed as a circulararea in the centre of the stage andmakes the process of changing stage
sets even faster and easier.

DThe prototype of today's revolving
stage is said to have been used in
Osaka's theatres during the Edo period (1603-1868) – long before othercountries had discovered the idea.
Nowadays revolving stages are commonplace for operas and musicals
throughout the world. With a diameterof approximately 18 metres, the newrevolving stage in the Kabukiza Theatre is roughly the same size as its predecessor, but four times deeper andtherefore provides more space for allof the required technology. At a heightof 16 metres it is as high as a four-storey building and weighs around 360
tonnes. To be able to enjoy performances such as a "Kabuki" in peace
and without any disruption, the noises
and vibrations caused when operating

The Getzner solution
the revolving stage had to be kept to aminimum. Other factors that had to betaken into account included the vibrations and noise generated by theneighbouring underground lines, asthese could penetrate into the interiorof the theatre and reach the stage.
The refurbishment of the revolving
stage in the Kabukiza Theatre has
made it the largest in Japan. Getzner
was responsible for the vibration isolation, working with its partner Nittobo
Acoustic Engineering. Implementationof the project took place in cooperation with Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Inc.,
one of the largest planning ofices inJapan, and Nagata Acoustics Inc., aworld-famous acoustics consultant fortheatres, opera houses and concert
halls.

Getzner has created a great impression with this project – not only with
the quality of its materials, but alsowith its skills in being able to predict
and calculate the vibration factors inadvance.
ull-surface foundation bedding on
Sylomer® SR 28 was chosen for
the Kabukiza revolving stage. For
more than 40 years, Getzner has
been using this PU elastomer successfully in the rail, construction and industry sectors. Compared to othersolutions on the market, full-surface
foundation bedding on Sylomer® offers the technical advantage of a consistently high isolation effect. This isrequired in order to be able to loadF

Laying the first layerof Sylomer®

Sylomer® for vibration isolation

After concreting thefoundation bedding

Feedback
the base area with the concrete stage
foundation and the weight of the revolving stage on Sylomer® for thelong term. In the case of the Kabukiza
Theatre, this equates to a load of several hundred tonnes. To protect therevolving stage from the risk of tilting, Getzner also used high-tech cushioning materials on the side surfaces.
This measure ensures that, whatever
happens, there will always be a safe
distance between the main stage andthe revolving stage – even during anearthquake.
Getzner materials were also used forthe roof garden, foyers, entrances,machinery rooms and the building's
multi-storey car park.
As Getzner used materials that weremanufactured directly on site, it took
just one week in total to install thevibration solution.

Applying the adhesive for thesecond layer of Sylomer®
The elastic Sylomer® layer isprepared for concreting.

What does Toshiko Fukuchi from
Nagata Acoustics have to say about
the project?

in what was the fourth renovation of
the theatre enabled the creation of aneven better sound environment.""When renovating the grand Kabukiza building, which embodies our
traditional and fundamentally Japanese dramatic art form, the vibration-isolating polyurethane material
Sylomer® from Getzner was used. This
material displays outstanding performance and workability. The fusion oftradition and the latest technology

Toshiko Fukuchi
Director/Project Manager
Nagata Acoustics

Facts and igures at a glance
Reconstruction of the Kabukiza TheatreCompletion:

29 loors (use: theatre, ofices, roof-top garden, shops, four-story car park in basement)
Kabuki-za Co., Ltd. & KS Capitol SPC
Shochiku Co., Ltd.
Mitsubishi Jisho Sekkei Inc./Kengo Kuma and Associates
Shimizu Corp.
Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH & Nihon Getzner K.K.
Nagata Acoustics Inc.
Nittobo Acoustic Engineering Co., Ltd.
Vibration calculations and forecasts, full-surface foundation bedding for revolving stage,elastic bedding for roof-top garden, foyers, entrances, machinery rooms, car parkSpring 2013

Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH

Construction references (extract from Japan)

Foundation:— National Training Centre (sports hall)— Palace Hotels (swimming pool, chapel)— Peninsula Hotels (swimming pool, kitchen)— Tokyo American Club, Sports Centre(swimming pool, fitness studio, kitchen)— QVC Japan (television studio)— Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
(rotary printing press)— Kochi Newspaper (rotary printing press)— Sumida Aquarium (machinery room)— Shibuya Hikarie (theatre)— Loop Road Kanjo No. 2 (four-laneurban motorway, high-rise building)Chief Executive Oficer:
Employees:
2015 turnover:Business areas:Headquarter:
Locations:

Ratio of exports:

1969 (as a subsidiary of Getzner,Mutter & Cie)Ing. Jürgen Rainalter340
EUR 77.9 million
Railway, construction, industry
Bürs (AT)
Berlin (DE), Munich (DE), Stuttgart (DE),
Lyon (FR), Amman (JO), Tokyo (JP),Pune (IN), Beijing (CN), Kunshan (CN),Charlotte (US) Headquarter
85 %Credit for the title picture: Shochiku Co., Ltd. and Kabuki-za Co., Ltd.
AUSTRIA — Bürs GERMANY — Berlin — Munich — Stuttgart FRANCE — Lyon
JAPAN — Tokyo INDIA — Pune CHINA — Beijing USA — Charlotte

JORDAN — Amman
www.getzner.com

CS Kabukiza en © Copyright by Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH | 04-2016

Scope of the reconstruction:
Client:Master Developer:
Execution planning/
construction monitoring:
General contractor:
Vibration isolation:
Cooperation for
acoustic design:
Acoustic works:Services: