13号館 学生会館

Can you imagine a building surviving the atomic bomb? Right here before us stands the resilient skeleton of 13号館 学生会館, the Hiroshima University Former Faculty of Science Building I. It’s a stark reminder of the devastation and a testament to the city’s rebirth. Originally completed in 1931, this building served as the main building for Hiroshima University’s Faculty of Literature and Science. It was a striking three-story, U-shaped structure made of reinforced concrete. Just a few years later, in 1933, another wing was added to the center, giving it a distinctive “E” shape when viewed from above. The 13号館 学生会館 withstood the atomic blast, although its interior was tragically gutted by fire. Thankfully, due to student mobilization efforts, casualties within the building were minimal. Remarkably, lectures resumed in the main hall a mere year later, in September 1946. By May 1949, the building officially became the Faculty of Science Building I through reforms in the education system. The 13号館 学生会館 continued its service for decades. However, time and the bomb’s impact took their toll. By 1985, the building was falling into disrepair. Falling tiles became a serious concern, and despite preventative measures, the building’s condition worsened. In 1991, the Faculty of Science relocated to Higashi-Hiroshima. This marked the end of the 13号館 学生会館’s role as a science hub. The City of Hiroshima acquired the building and grounds in April 2013. Its future is uncertain, with conservation efforts currently under consideration. This building, though scarred, is a symbol of resilience and hope. It reflects the strength of Hiroshima and its university.