Architect：HIBINOSEKKEI + Youji no Shiro

Location：Japan

Category：Nurseries

The birth rate in Japan is on a constant decline resulting decrease in the number of siblings proportionately. As a result, the different age children aren’t able to develop a strong connection which results in developing complex, restricting them to freely communicate with others. This site is located in an area where this tendency can be seen remarkably. Hence we started with 'connection' as the key concept.

The floor plan was thought of in a way to promote the sense of everyone being together all the time. A space was dedicated to facilitate interaction in between the current students with the local residents and the ex-students. It has a common playground and mini play gardens physically segregated age wise, but visually accessible to other age students.

The whole structure is designed to naturally promote direct and indirect interaction even while being engaged with some other activity. It is a learning environment to develop communication and consideration towards others.

The overall form looks like small huts arranged along the riverside, an attempt to bring back an old scene of this area from long time back, an open experience is created at just beside the main entrance where you are allowed to relax without taking off your shoes, to create the look and feel of the old riverside cafe. 

The roofs are interconnected and have slope in accordance to the climatology and spatial function. The irregularity of the ceiling height thus invites children's curiosity. The space created by connecting the small huts is used as patio while that in between becoming the age wise play gardens. The width of patio is decided in accordance to maintaining privacy while still establishing the visual link amongst the kids inside and outside. Toilet, library, dining room and infant nursery all are linked with the patio as their mediator.

This nursery isn’t just about promoting the communication in between the children but everyone including the teachers.

We have ensured that this design realizes communication more than ever before and are awaiting to see its impact on the future of children. 

▼项目更多图片