Rikkyo University

The No. 9 Building was developed as one of the projects commemorating the 150th anniversary of Rikkyo Educational Corporation’s founding. Its purpose is to provide facilities for research and educational activities for the College of Sport and Wellness, which opened in April 2023, and to accommodate a growing student population. The No. 9 Building is set to open in April 2025, serving as a new hub for fostering innovation.

Hiroaki Fukuda, Chairperson of Rikkyo Educational Corporation, and Renta Nishihara, Chancellor of Rikkyo Educational Corporation and President of Rikkyo University, were among the participants in the ceremony. They expressed their gratitude to those involved in designing and constructing the building, as well as high expectations for it to become an open venue for exchanges among individuals interested in health and wellness and as a hub for sharing information.

The No. 9 Building on Niiza Campus houses excellent laboratories and lab equipment, along with dedicated classroom and experiment areas. Its transparent design incorporates glass and movable partitions, allowing for unobstructed views between the common areas and the section that includes a running track and a multi-purpose court. These features create an optimal environment for fostering interactions among students across various disciplines, and for sharing information about activities within the building.

The building is environmentally friendly and sustainable. It utilizes "Well Panels," which draw well water pumped from underground at a temperature of approximately 15-20°C to cool the aluminum panel walls, thereby lowering the surrounding temperature. Additionally, it features a "Cool and Heat Trench" that harnesses underground heat through a ventilation channel for air conditioning in the building. These energy-saving features have resulted in a reduction of more than 50% in energy use compared to conventional buildings, earning the No. 9 Building ZEB Ready certification.

*ZEB Ready certification is awarded to buildings that reduce energy consumption to below 50% of that of conventional buildings.