Design Concept: The Small Forest Research Institute – a forest for children, built within the building.
The nursery, located on the second floor of a building in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, was designed and is operated by the professional design agency Hibino Design.
Based on the concept of the “Little Forest Research Institute – a forest for children built inside the building,” the design incorporates eight key elements inspired by the vast local forest. These features encourage children to create their own games, stay active, and immerse themselves in play in their favorite spots.
01 Forest Steps
Unlike typical flat nurseries, this space features steps throughout, maximizing opportunities for children to engage in physical activity within a limited area.
02 Indoor Forest
Integrating with the stepped design, plants are distributed throughout the nursery. Even indoors, children can observe seasonal changes like sprouting and flowering, experiencing the vibrancy of greenery and nurturing their emotions.
03 Cave Art Studio
Located in a secluded conservation area, the art studio is shielded from adult view by a low wall, providing children with a focused space to freely express themselves. The interior walls double as blackboards, allowing children to showcase their creativity, draw directly, or play with magnets.
04 Explorer Book Corner
Adjacent to the art studio, this area features a full bookshelf, aquariums, and feeding boxes. Alongside various picture books and biological illustrations, it connects children’s interest in biology with their learning experience.
05 Secret Path
A narrow aisle next to the Explorer Book Corner holds toys for imaginative play. With an east-facing glass window bathing the space in warm sunlight, it encourages children to expand their imagination. Nearby, a cultivation corner lets children grow vegetables and interact with soil indoors.
06 Observation Deck
At the top of the stairs, a bar offers views through the window where children can enjoy picture books from the rack. They can watch the streets and trams outside, creating a connection to the wider community.
07 Mirror Pool
The bathroom area is enclosed by mirrored walls, which eliminates any sense of confinement and creates a seamless transition to the lively nursery space. The mirror walls also serve as a playful surface where children can draw, interact, and engage in imaginative games.
08 Forest Restaurant
The child-height meal counter empowers children to regulate their own appetite and serve meals to their designated dining areas, fostering independence and autonomy. This space also promotes food education, allowing children to experience the joy of cooking and interact with chefs, sparking their curiosity.
These eight features exemplify a new kind of environmental conservation park that urban areas increasingly need, expanding children’s play and learning opportunities while enriching their minds and bodies.
Project Drawings
△ Plan View
Project Information
Project Name: KIDS SMILE LABO Nursery
Location: Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Design Supervisors: HIBINOSEKEI + Youji no Shiro + KIDS DESIGN LABO
Usable Area (Facility Area): 340.08 square meters
Completion Date: March 2021
Photography by HIBINOSEKEI
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