We have released the "Gakushikaikan Digital Archive," which allows you to experience the Gakushikaikan digitally.

About the Gakushikaikan Digital Archive Project

Gakushikaikan was built in 1928 (Showa 3) as a club building for the purpose of socializing and intellectual exchange among members of the Gakushikai, which consisted of graduates of the former Imperial Universities (currently the Seven National Universities). The "old building" was designed by Teitaro Takahashi, and in 1937 (Showa 12), the "new building" designed by Akira Fujimura (Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha Jishobu) was added. In March​ ​2025, it was designated a tangible cultural property designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Due to a redevelopment project, Gakushikaikan will close at the end of 2024. The old building will be moved and preserved after undergoing earthquake-resistance and renovation work, while the new building is scheduled to be demolished. Therefore, the "Gakushikaikan Digital Archive" project was launched to record the appearance of the old and new buildings of Gakushikaikan before they were closed.

There are various methods for digital archiving, such as photography, video, and diagrams, but this time, given that part of the building will be demolished and the actual building will be lost, we decided to create a 3DCG model that can retain more information.To create the model, we used "photogrammetry," which combines dimensional information obtained by laser scanning with realistic textures generated from photographs, to build a 3DCG model that records in detail what Gakushikaikan looked like before it closed.

Additionally, for rooms that have been significantly altered since the building's construction, we created 3D CG models based on old photographs and drawings, and created digital content that allows visitors to experience the layers of history of Gakushikaikan by moving between the present-day spaces and these models.

Introducing the project team

The Gakushikaikan Digital Archive Project was planned and produced by the Gakushikaikan Digital Archive Team, which is made up of the following six organizations:

Gakushikai General Incorporated Association
Showa 3 The Gakushikai Hall, which was built in 1990 as a club facility for Gakushikai members, is now closed for redevelopment due to its aging. 2024 year 12 month 29 The building was closed (temporarily closed) on the 1st. Due to redevelopment, the Gakushikaikan will undergo some changes, 96 We decided to create a digital archive out of our desire to preserve forever the current Gakushikaikan, which has been loved by everyone for years. Thanks to the meticulous and careful work of the team, the Gakushikaikan has been digitally revived ahead of schedule. Whether you have visited the actual Gakushikaikan before or it is your first time, please come and experience the digital Gakushikaikan, which has been created by professionals with meticulous attention to detail.

Cultural Assets Preservation Planning Association Inc.(Planning and Supervision)
With the goal of preserving and utilizing the Gakushikaikan, a cultural property, we planned to create digital archive content to highlight its value and provide an opportunity for users to enjoy the building even while it is closed, while also preserving records of the new building, which has been scheduled for demolition. We look forward to the prospects for data sharing and utilization through the digitization of cultural properties. In this project, we utilized our knowledge and experience as cultural property experts to appropriately preserve the Gakushikaikan, communicate its value as a cultural property, and oversee the restoration research, with the aim of developing attractive content that will contribute to its future preservation and utilization.

Hacosco Co., Ltd., Taiyo Kikaku Co., Ltd.(3DCG model production, WebVR content production)
We took still photographs of the exterior and interior of Gakushikaikan from various angles and used point cloud data acquired by Just Co., Ltd. to generate 3D models using a technique called photogrammetry, then turned them into digital content. The shoot took place over several weeks, and the total number of photos taken was over 270,000, resulting in an epic project. We believe we have been able to provide new value by recreating reality in a digital space.

Just Co., Ltd.(Laser Scan)
In this project, we used a device called a 3D laser scanner to measure the basic shape of the entire building, which would become the framework for the 3DCG model. Measurements were taken at approximately 2,000 points inside and outside the building, and we were in charge of data synthesis to integrate the countless 3D coordinate data, known as point cloud data, to construct the overall shape of the building.

Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc.(Restoration 3DCG model production)
In this project, we were in charge of creating a restored 3D model of the original "ball game room" from when Gakushikaikan was first built. The "ball game room" was converted into a Japanese restaurant, and the interior design had changed significantly, so we analyzed the original blueprints, old photographs, and documents, and also conducted a dismantling survey to confirm the old interior that remained in the ceiling and other areas, and then restored it. For areas where historical evidence such as color and texture was lacking, we referred to similar areas in the building and other buildings designed by Teitaro Takahashi, and modeled even the finest details of the decoration. Please take a look at the "ball game room," which has been reproduced in detail, including the unevenness of the wood, the moldings on the ceiling, the leather upholstery of the billiard bench, and the texture of the tiles.

Future outlook

Based on the 3DCG model we have created, we plan to create a variety of content to disseminate information about the Gakushikaikan in the future. One of these is the prospect of turning it into a metaverse. The metaverse has the characteristic of people gathering in the same digital space and forming a community, so we believe it has a high affinity with the Gakushikaikan, which has functioned as a club building. We will develop content with the implementation of the metaverse in mind, provide services to existing members that replace the functions of the Gakushikaikan to date, and develop content that can increase awareness and attachment to new members and new users while communicating the value of the Gakushikaikan as a cultural asset.

Company Information

Gakushikai General Incorporated Association (https://www.gakushikai.or.jp/)
Location: 3-28 Kanda Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (during redevelopment period: 2nd floor, Sumitomo Corporation Takebashi Building, 1-2-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Business details: Alumni association of the former seven imperial universities (Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, University of Tokyo, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Osaka University, and Kyushu University)

Cultural Property Preservation Planning Association Inc. (https://www.b-hozon.co.jp/)
Address: 4F Kanda Ogawamachi 3-chome Building, 3-26-8 Kanda Ogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business description: General consulting on the preservation and utilization of cultural properties, including the preservation and repair of cultural property buildings, historic sites and scenic spots, the formulation of preservation and utilization plans, historical urban development, and support for World Heritage registration.

Hacosco Inc. (https://hacosco.com/company/)
Address: 1173-439 Izuyama, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Business description: Development and sales of VR/Metaverse and Brain Tech services

Taiyo Planning Co., Ltd. (https://taiyo-techlab.jp/)
Location: 5-21-1 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Business description: General advertising and promotion, mainly TV commercials, VR, and dome video production
　
Just Co., Ltd. https://www.just-ltd.co.jp/)
Address: 2-4-1 Azaminominami, Aoba-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Business description: Inspection, investigation and diagnosis of all architectural and civil engineering structures, including houses, buildings, commercial facilities, public facilities, factories, dams, tunnels and bridges.

Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc. https://www.mjd.co.jp/)
Address: Marunouchi 2-chome Building 2-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo
Business description: Urban planning, Architectural Design and Construction Supervision, consulting, Renovation, Construction Management, preservation, utilization and inheritance of historical buildings related to these, archiving, etc.