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Hannan University Building 4
Hannan University Building 4
Matsubara, Japan
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Other Projects by NIKKEN SEKKEI LTD
Hannan University Building 4
Matsubara, Japan
Firm
Type
STATUS
Built
YEAR
2024
SIZE
100,000 sqft - 300,000 sqft
Steeped in history and tradition, Hannan University is a private liberal arts university celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, located in a lush green area along the Yamato River, to the south of central Osaka. Ahead of this milestone year, alongside a faculty reorganization, the university has advanced plans to integrate the previously separate south campus into the main campus grounds.
Building 4 was designed not only as a replacement for aging structures, but also as the largest new classroom building on the main campus to accommodate increasing student numbers, capitalizing on faculty reorganization and South Campus integration.
The prior Building 4 had few openings facing the courtyard, resulting in a layout that did not fully utilize the courtyard's spatial value or foster a sense of connection with it. The replacement facility was therefore designed with an open, continuous building form that faces the courtyard. By planning it as an integral part of the courtyard, the design creates a space for learning and interaction where communication and activities can occur naturally. This encourages students to actively use the building and gather there, even outside of class hours.
A terraced student gathering space that draws students from the Campus Plaza
The Campus Plaza courtyard facing the site, functions as the central hub where students gather between classes and during lunchtime. To seamlessly draw student activity from the courtyard, set back, stepped terraced spaces were created from the courtyard side. The terraced building volume emerged as a rational response to planning restrictions arising from the northern road, which is narrow in parts. Leveraging this stepped design, rich plantings, benches, and tables were incorporated, creating comfortable spaces for students.
The semi-outdoor terrace space allows students to enjoy the greenery and breeze. From the top floor, they can see far across the Osaka Plain. Designed with wellness in mind, it provides a pleasant place for students to spend time. In consideration of the need for spaces beyond the classroom where students can learn and interact during the COVID-19 pandemic, we created a healthy environment for communication in fresh outdoor air.
An atrium space that connects student activities
The central staircase atrium serves as the building's core, and the main circulation route for students. Spaces surrounding the stairs function as gathering spots, and are designed to encourage student movement between classes, fostering chance encounters and interaction. Open common areas are positioned on each floor, facing the west-side terraces. These spaces are designed to be comfortable and seamlessly connect to the terraces, allowing student activities to naturally extend from the common areas to the terraces, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the entire building.
The central atrium also promotes natural ventilation thanks to its elevated uppermost section, enabling air to be expelled via high-side lights using stack ventilation. The curved ceiling softly diffuses light from the high-side lights into the interior, contributing to the building's energy efficiency.
Creating a unified interior-exterior space that harmonizes with the campus and stimulates student sensibilities
The exterior design incorporates elements shared with existing campus buildings－such as earth-toned tiles and exposed concrete eaves－to achieve harmony with the existing campus landscape. Through unified earthy tones, the building conveys Hanan University's quality and warmth, while its design highlights the freshness of the greenery and the vibrant expressions of its students.
The interior design is simple and robust. Exposed concrete floors, steel beams, equipment racks, and shutter boxes form an interior that feels like a seamless extension of the terrace and external space. Classroom color schemes are conceptually tailored to each floor. Vivid colors, contrasting with the more subdued tones of the common areas, stimulate students’ senses, and introduce rhythm and distinction into their daily learning environment.
Restrooms that foster refreshment and communication
In designing a building where students can comfortably spend time, restrooms are more than just places for handwashing. Instead, each floor features a distinct design concept: “Stylish” on the 1st and 2nd floors, “Energetic” on the 3rd, “Natural” on the 4th, and “Elegant” on the 5th. This variety allows students to choose a restroom that suit their mood. As such, these restrooms go beyond mere functional facility, becoming comfortable places where students can linger, refresh themselves, and even communicate.
Project Details
Project name: Hannan University Building 4
Purpose: University
Location（prefecture, city): Matsubara-shi, Osaka, Japan
Site area: 40,190.87 sqm
Total floor area: 9,889.85 sqm
Number of floors: Five above-ground floors
Eave height/max height: 22.64 m /23.50 m
Main structure: Steel-framed construction
Completion month/year: February 2024
Credits
Client name: Hannan University
Lead architect: Nikken Sekkei Ltd
Main scope: Concept plan, Concept design, Developed Design Supervision
Construction Contractor: Matsui Construction Co., Ltd.
Photo credit: Koji Yamazaki [Prise]
Building 4 was designed not only as a replacement for aging structures, but also as the largest new classroom building on the main campus to accommodate increasing student numbers, capitalizing on faculty reorganization and South Campus integration.
The prior Building 4 had few openings facing the courtyard, resulting in a layout that did not fully utilize the courtyard's spatial value or foster a sense of connection with it. The replacement facility was therefore designed with an open, continuous building form that faces the courtyard. By planning it as an integral part of the courtyard, the design creates a space for learning and interaction where communication and activities can occur naturally. This encourages students to actively use the building and gather there, even outside of class hours.
A terraced student gathering space that draws students from the Campus Plaza
The Campus Plaza courtyard facing the site, functions as the central hub where students gather between classes and during lunchtime. To seamlessly draw student activity from the courtyard, set back, stepped terraced spaces were created from the courtyard side. The terraced building volume emerged as a rational response to planning restrictions arising from the northern road, which is narrow in parts. Leveraging this stepped design, rich plantings, benches, and tables were incorporated, creating comfortable spaces for students.
The semi-outdoor terrace space allows students to enjoy the greenery and breeze. From the top floor, they can see far across the Osaka Plain. Designed with wellness in mind, it provides a pleasant place for students to spend time. In consideration of the need for spaces beyond the classroom where students can learn and interact during the COVID-19 pandemic, we created a healthy environment for communication in fresh outdoor air.
An atrium space that connects student activities
The central staircase atrium serves as the building's core, and the main circulation route for students. Spaces surrounding the stairs function as gathering spots, and are designed to encourage student movement between classes, fostering chance encounters and interaction. Open common areas are positioned on each floor, facing the west-side terraces. These spaces are designed to be comfortable and seamlessly connect to the terraces, allowing student activities to naturally extend from the common areas to the terraces, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the entire building.
The central atrium also promotes natural ventilation thanks to its elevated uppermost section, enabling air to be expelled via high-side lights using stack ventilation. The curved ceiling softly diffuses light from the high-side lights into the interior, contributing to the building's energy efficiency.
Creating a unified interior-exterior space that harmonizes with the campus and stimulates student sensibilities
The exterior design incorporates elements shared with existing campus buildings－such as earth-toned tiles and exposed concrete eaves－to achieve harmony with the existing campus landscape. Through unified earthy tones, the building conveys Hanan University's quality and warmth, while its design highlights the freshness of the greenery and the vibrant expressions of its students.
The interior design is simple and robust. Exposed concrete floors, steel beams, equipment racks, and shutter boxes form an interior that feels like a seamless extension of the terrace and external space. Classroom color schemes are conceptually tailored to each floor. Vivid colors, contrasting with the more subdued tones of the common areas, stimulate students’ senses, and introduce rhythm and distinction into their daily learning environment.
Restrooms that foster refreshment and communication
In designing a building where students can comfortably spend time, restrooms are more than just places for handwashing. Instead, each floor features a distinct design concept: “Stylish” on the 1st and 2nd floors, “Energetic” on the 3rd, “Natural” on the 4th, and “Elegant” on the 5th. This variety allows students to choose a restroom that suit their mood. As such, these restrooms go beyond mere functional facility, becoming comfortable places where students can linger, refresh themselves, and even communicate.
Project Details
Project name: Hannan University Building 4
Purpose: University
Location（prefecture, city): Matsubara-shi, Osaka, Japan
Site area: 40,190.87 sqm
Total floor area: 9,889.85 sqm
Number of floors: Five above-ground floors
Eave height/max height: 22.64 m /23.50 m
Main structure: Steel-framed construction
Completion month/year: February 2024
Credits
Client name: Hannan University
Lead architect: Nikken Sekkei Ltd
Main scope: Concept plan, Concept design, Developed Design Supervision
Construction Contractor: Matsui Construction Co., Ltd.
Photo credit: Koji Yamazaki [Prise]
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