This project involves rebuilding a kindergarten in Matsuyama City, Japan. In recent years, cars have become an essential part of daily life in provincial capitals, leading more children to commute by bus or car to kindergarten. As a result, opportunities for daily physical exercise have declined. Additionally, many children spend increasing amounts of time playing electronic games indoors, reducing their chances to engage with natural environments. In response, KO Kindergarten is being redesigned around the concept of “health through play.”
The design creates an open and flexible space by horizontally and vertically shifting various rooms, such as staff offices and daycare centers. This approach forms 14 distinct play areas that resemble a street, transforming into familiar, scenic spots where children once played freely. Kazuhiko Nakamura, a professor of education at Yamanashi Prefectural University, emphasizes that children should master 36 fundamental body movements, including running, jumping, stacking (in BIM design), and hugging. Remarkably, all these movements can be experienced and learned within these 14 play spaces.
A comparative study of kindergarten children’s physical activity found that the average step count for children aged 3-5 increased by 20%. Activities such as throwing, crossing, crawling, and cycling, which were previously undervalued in older buildings, are now fully supported in the new facility. Unlike traditional flat playgrounds, the new playground features two small hills and natural grasslands, offering limitless opportunities for active play.
Children delight in rolling and climbing, while the abundance of insects and flowers encourages them to invent new games independently. Designing play spaces that promote exercise not only enhances children’s physical fitness and endurance but also fosters creativity and diverse interests.
Project Drawings
▲ First Floor Plan
▲ Mezzanine Plan
▲ Second Floor Plan
▲ Third Floor Plan
▲ Elevation View
▲ Sectional View
Project Information
Architectural Firms: HIBINOSEKEI, Kids Design Labo, Youji no Shiro
Location: Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan
Category: Kindergarten
Building Area: 2,220.0 m2
Year: 2019
Photographers: Studio Bauhaus, Ryuji Inoue
Manufacturers: GANTAN BEAUTY INDUSTRY, Bozo, KIDS DESIGN LABO
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