Kindergarten nestled in pastoral surroundings
Since its establishment in 1978, Zhuzi Kindergarten has undergone continuous renovations and expansions to harmonize with the surrounding environment and the historical context of the neighborhood. The opportunity to design “Peanuts,” a daycare for infants aged 43 days to 12 months, arose when one of the architect’s children attended the facility. Completed in 2012, this project marked a significant milestone. In subsequent years, some older facilities in the northern section of the kindergarten were demolished, leading to a new expansion project initiated in 2018.
Located in a tranquil nursery area, the kindergarten is surrounded by historic country roads, waterways, farmland, and scattered houses near the mountain’s base. The Zhuzi Kindergarten campus comprises several buildings, including the main kindergarten, a multifunctional space, and a shoe and hat room. Though these structures are adjacent, they historically lacked interaction and coordination. Surprisingly, this seemingly fragmented layout achieves a harmonious balance throughout the campus. The coexistence of new and old buildings is rare among preschools, yet the older structures—often deemed obsolete—contribute a warm and comfortable environment for children in this project.
Rather than replicating existing designs, the architect introduced a building with a gradually opening floor plan. This new structure continues the design language of Tianyan Kindergarten, which has been evolving on this site for years, weaving new stories and fostering a more dynamic and interactive connection with the community and the surrounding environment.
A vibrant forest environment
As Zhuzi Kindergarten’s enrollment steadily increased and the original dining facilities aged, the institution decided to expand. The brief challenged architects to rethink the traditional “dining room” concept and capture the true essence of the dining space. The goal was not just to design a dining hall but to create an interactive environment where parents and neighbors could engage—sharing meals with children and teachers, celebrating birthdays, or hosting other activities.
The new building includes three main spaces: a dining area accommodating 40 children, parents, and staff; two classrooms for children aged 4 to 5; and a lounge for faculty to use after hours.
Contrary to becoming a multipurpose open space, the new restaurant optimizes its structure, order, and strength through carefully designed columns and beams. Notably, the cross beams and columns widen near the ceiling, spaced 3.5 meters apart and rotated 45 degrees, creating the building’s primary structural grid.
The interior space gains a sense of depth through both horizontal and vertical visual anchors, establishing physical and sensory distances. Additionally, the architect designed seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces using furniture and landscaping, creating a flowing, forest-like environment encouraging exploration and play.
Recognizing that children and adults perceive space differently, the architect’s goal was to design a unique environment that nurtures children’s imagination and curiosity within this dynamic, structure-driven setting.
Looking ahead: The community’s future
Zhuzi Kindergarten is conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the UID Architecture Office. This proximity allows architects to continue exploring how to create environments that best support families, staff, and children within the community, adapting to the ever-changing modern landscape.
Project Drawings
△ General layout plan
△ Second floor plan
△ Sectional perspective
△ Sectional perspective
△ Detailed drawing
Project Information
Architectural Design: UID Architects
Area: 782 m²
Project Year: 2020
Photographer: Koji Fujii / TOREAL
Lead Architect: Keisuke Maeda / UID
Structural Engineers: Konishi Structural Engineers – Yasutaka Konishi, Takuya Asamitsu, Junpei Sato
Landscape Designer: Toshiya Ogino Landscape Design – Toshiya Ogino, Nobuo Kuwaoka, Shota Ogino
General Contractor: DAIWA Construction CO. LTD
Location: Hiroshima, Japan
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