kengo kuma: teikyo university elementary school, tokyo

‘teikyo university elementary school’ by kengo kuma and associatesimage courtesy of teikyo university elementary school

the teikyo university elementary school in tokyo, japan, offers the appearance of a wooden school house in the bustling city. the 7,781.52 m2 learning space designed by kengo kuma and associates is a three-storey structure which features a large roof which spans the length of the building – its sloping nature changes the length and height of the eaves, responding to the establishment’s different programs and surrounding environment. the environmentally-friend plan, employs a device used to gather heat which faces to the south. this solar system warms air to circulate below it, venting through the floor during winter.

the primarily wooden structure is constructed to look like 12 different sectioned terraced houses which are arranged in a row.this is defined by the alternating coloring of the cedar cladding – based on the volume of each classroom – which has been treated in heat to secure durability. three different lining methods are applied to the walls of the school – siding work, lovers and yamato-bari (wood panels that are arranged with their sides slightly overlapping onto the next one) – offering various visual expressions throughout.

a media centre is situated at the heart of the educational institution which spans the three-storeys as to not segregate this hub from the rest of the school’s activities. an atrium also connects the second and third levels in such a way that one is aware of the angled roof from each floor. the interior features a wall made from recycled material – chips of straw, rush and poplar – that functions as a pin board for bulletins or displaying student work. the entrance to the classrooms are enclosed by large sliding doors which provide privacy, while also allowing the individual learning spaces to be open to the large communal studio – straying from the conventional hallway organization –which they are built off of, where pupils can gather after lessons to have group discussions.

aerial viewimage courtesy of kengo kuma and associates

cedar wood clads the exterior of the buildingimage courtesy of teikyo university elementary school

gated entrance to the schoolimage courtesy of kengo kuma and associates

pathways running between the structure allow students to meander through their learning environmentimage courtesy of kengo kuma and associates

the structure’s sloping roof carries through to the interiorimage courtesy of kengo kuma and associates

the entrance to the classrooms are enclosed by large sliding doors which provide privacy, while also allowing the individual learning spaces to be open to communal areas when neededimage courtesy of kengo kuma and associates