Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen

Children are the protagonists of the project designed by Kengo Kuma. The project is adapted to the scale of the children so that it is functional for them. The predominant material in the project is wood, creating warm and inviting spaces so that children are as in their homes. The architect generates a small spaces, called caves, the protagonists will fascinate with these spaces.

Memory of project

We wanted to build a nursery school close to the ground. The building is wood-structured, single-story, and its exterior wall is covered with trees and plants. The floor is sloped to follow the landscape underneath, so that the structure can be further lowered, nearer to the ground. We wanted to assimilate the architecture with the earth, as if they have merged into each other. To fit the size and action of the children, we also designed the building to stand as low as we could.

Inside, there are lots of small niche-like “caves.” We are sure that the kids have found a place of their own.

Materials:

Finish of Exterior.- Roof: steel plate, Exterior Wall: wooden siding (partly nonflammable).
Openings.- wooden sash, aluminum sash.
Finish of Interior.- Nursery room, Play room: Wall: structural plywood, diatom earth; Ceiling: wood wool cement board, cypress strand board, calcium silicate board; Floor: wooden floor, cork floor.

Text.- Kengo Kuma & Associates

CREDITS.-

Main architect.- Kengo Kuma.
Team collaborators.- Ejiri Structural Engineers (structural design), Kankyo Engineering, Inc. (utilities, equipment), New House Co., Ltd. (construction), EGG Co., Ltd. (signage).
Client.- Social Welfare Organization CHUOUFUKUSHIKAI.
Date.- 07/2012 - 03/2013 (construction period), 12/2011 - 07/2012 (design period).
Surface.- 2640,09 m² (site area), 992.63 m² (built area).
Site.- 3-247-1 Taiyogaoka, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture. Japan.

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Interior view of Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Photography © KKAA.

Site plan, Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen by Kengo Kuma & Associates.

Ground floor, Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen by Kengo Kuma & Associates.

Roof plan, Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen by Kengo Kuma & Associates.

Sections, Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen by Kengo Kuma & Associates.

Elevations, Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen by Kengo Kuma & Associates.

Construction, Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Photography © KKAA.

Night view, Kids Academy Taiyogaoka Hoikuen by Kengo Kuma & Associates. Photography © KKAA.

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More information

Kengo Kuma. Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA)

Kengo Kuma was born in Yokohama (Kanagawa, Japan) in 1954. He studied architecture at the University of Tokyo, finishing his degree in 1979. In 1987, he opened the "Spatial Design Studio". In 1990 he founded "Kengo Kuma & Associates" and extended the study to Europe (Paris, France) in 2008. Since 1985 and until 2009, has taught as a visiting professor and holder at the universities of Columbia, Keio, Illinois and Tokyo.

Notable projects include Japan National Stadium (2019), V&A Dundee (2019), Odunpazari Modern Art Museum (2019), and The Suntory Museum of Art (2007).

Kengo Kuma proposes architecture that opens up new relationships between nature, technology, and human beings. His major publications include Zen Shigoto(The complete works, Daiwa S hobo)Ten Sen Men (“point, line, plane”, IwanamiShoten), Makeru Kenchiku (Architecture of Defeat, Iwanami Shoten), Shizen na Kenchiku(Natural Architecture, Iwanami Shinsho), Chii sana Kenchiku (Small Architecture, IwanamiShinsho) and many others.

Main Awards:

· 2011 The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize for "Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum."
· 2010 Mainichi Art Award for “Nezu Museum.”
· 2009 "Decoration Officier de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres" (France).
· 2008 Energy Performance + Architecture Award (France). Bois Magazine International Wood Architecture Award (France).
· 2002 Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award (Finland).
· 2001 Togo Murano Award for “Nakagawa-machi Bato Hiroshige Museum.”
· 1997 Architectural Institute of Japan Award for “Noh Stage in the Forest”. First Place, AIA DuPONT Benedictus Award for “Water/Glass” (USA).