Surrounded by Mt. Asuwa, a local symbol of the county town, EZ Kindergarten offers children a close connection to nature. As they explore the mountain, children engage with natural elements, inspiring creative play. The Fukui Kindergarten Reconstruction Project in Japan brings these outdoor memories of Mount Ashikaga indoors, integrating them into the kindergarten’s play facilities to enhance the indoor environment.
The climbing net is designed to support children’s natural desires to jump and swing. Beneath the stairs, a wooden ball pit encourages movements like rolling, picking, and throwing, promoting active and tactile play.
A secret base made up of slopes invites children to slide, climb, and hide. This dynamic space encourages them to invent new ways of playing, stretching their bodies in various spatial forms.
Unlike typical kindergartens where stairs are fenced off to prevent unsupervised access, EZ Kindergarten places the stairs at the heart of the building. This central location encourages interaction among children of different ages. The stairs and steps become a playful space, reminiscent of children playing and romping in the mountains.
Zuyu Mountain offers a simple and natural environment, fostering free creativity for children. Similarly, the kindergarten’s design encourages independent challenges and exploration, enriching the space with imagination and creativity.
Project Drawings
△ First Floor Plan
△ Second Floor Plan
△ Third Floor Plan
△ Elevation Drawing
△ Section Diagram
Project Information
Architects: HIBINOSEKEI, Kids Design Labo, Youjo no Shiro
Area: 1016 m²
Year: 2019
Photographer: Toshinari Soga (studio BAUHAUS)
Manufacturers: Bozo, GANTAN BEAUTY INDUSTRY, KIDS DESIGN LABO, Puppy Kids Chair, Runon
Lead Architects: Hibinosekkei, Youji no Shiro, Kids Design Labo
Location: Fukui, Japan
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