Nanairo Kyobashi Nursery School in Osaka, Japan by ZEROKOBO DESIGN

Article source: ZEROKOBO DESIGN

This is a new company-founded nursery school that was established amid the Japanese government’s increased efforts to resolve the issue of children being put on waiting lists to enter day care facilities.

Facade daytime, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

• Architects: ZEROKOBO DESIGN
• Project: Nanairo Kyobashi Nursery School
• Location: Osaka, Japan
• Photography: Yohei Sasakura
• Client: Sevencube Corporation
• Floor Area: 92.14㎡
• Completion Time: March. 2017

Facade evening, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

Having recognized the great social value of the project from the outset, I aimed to set it apart from the cookie-cutter “nursery rooms” that had been sprouting across the city. I felt that, as a nursery school created for the neighborhood through a company initiative, it should be designed to express the character of the company and also become the new face for the local community.

Facade daytime-2, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

Entrance, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

I chose “connective design” as the theme of the project based on the fact that the company behind the facility is a staffing agency, whose business is centered on connecting people to people.

Hall, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

Hall-3, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

My first move was to create a single simple rectangular room by consolidating the wet areas and storage in the pockets at the back of the existing space.

Hall-2, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

Staff room, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

I then added a playful rhythm to the space by making a suspended wall composed of a series of arches arranged around the openings to the washrooms and closet.

Room, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

Room-2, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

I designed the suspended wall with freehand curves so that it would not only inspire the free and rich imagination of the children but also visually create a relaxed sense of connection between the space and street when seen both from the outside in and from the inside out.

Room-3, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

Suspended wall-2, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

The wall also serves as an effective approach element for leading one into the deep, narrow single-room space.

Suspended wall-3, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

Front door, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

I hope that this nursery school will demonstrate how a child care facility created as a true private-sector initiative can benefit society not only by providing a place to accommodate the children on the waiting lists but also by bringing new stimulation to the local neighborhood.

Toilet, Image Courtesy © Yunagi Miki

The whole view, Image Courtesy © Yohei Sasakura

Rest room small window, Image Courtesy © Yunagi Miki

Drawing, Image Courtesy © ZEROKOBO DESIGN

Tags: Japan, Osaka

Categories: Kindergarten, School, space

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