The Yoshida Dormitory Committee has made an application to Kyoto City for large-scale repairs to the dorm based on their ‘Rules regarding the preservation of historical buildings’. Kyoto City’s rules on building standards are explained below. 

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Sourced from the website of Kyoto City (http://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/tokei/page/0000157989.html). 

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　Kyoto City is made up of both traditional wooden buildings such as Kyomachiya and modern concrete and brick buildings. Through this patchwork of different buildings, historical Kyoto City gains its unique appearance and culture.

　When making extensions or changing the use of buildings in Kyoto, it is necessary to conform to the city’s Building Standards Law. However, in the case of historical buildings, it is sometimes difficult to conform to these laws whilst still protecting the original appearance of the buildings. Historical buildings such as these often have a large number of users although it is difficult to ascertain the exact number. Whilst it is important to improve the safety of these buildings, it is also essential not to interfere with their original appearance and use.  Therefore, an ordinance has been passed which exempts certain buildings of particular aesthetic and cultural value in the main area of Kyoto City from the regular Building Standards Law. However, even buildings such as these must have proper maintenance done to ensure their safety.

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　In the case of Yoshida Dormitory, if repairs were conducted to its old section (the traditional wooden building) according to the Building Standards Law, it is unlikely that it would retain its historical and architectural value. Of course, it is vitally important to us to ensure the structural safety of the old section of the dorm. However, the Kyoto City rules regarding historical buildings mentioned above line up well with our goals as they are designed to solve structural issues in old buildings without impacting their value as historical assets.