sloping playground roof tops renovated 50-year-old kindergarten by studio YY in japan

the bright colors of the playgrounds stimulate the students' imagination, while the installed cave walls and climbing pillars pique their curiosity.

06392880966 edited by massimo mini May 3, 2022 3 min

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Studio YY redesigns 50-year-old kindergarten in japan

In Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Studio YY has reimagined a 50-year-old kindergarten as a playful forest hill for the children. The pre-existing wooden building was transformed into a certified childcare center designed to overlook the green surroundings, allowing the young students to interact with nature. Adopting hill-like shape with grass slopes and vibrant playground installations, the project seeks to nurture energetic children who love to be active, playful and creative.

a hill kindergarten in japan 2 — view from the forest

all images by GRAPHY Inc.

learning through play

Studio YY (see more here) has designed the kindergarten as if it were built on a hill overlooking the green space so that the children would be surrounded by nature and learn through play. For kids who love to run and climb, the team has formed a hill-like single-sloping roof, with various playgrounds scattered throughout its entirety. The color and shapes of the playgrounds stimulate the students’ imagination, while the installed cave walls and climbing pillars, pique their curiosity and encourage them to discover a new world of fun.

Under the roof, the nursery and the forest hall are arranged side by side, facing the green space and generating a forest-like environment. Meanwhile, the hall was placed in the center of the preschool building to provide a place where local residents and parents can also interact with each other.

a hill kindergarten in japan 3 — various playgrounds have been installed on the sloping roof

a hill kindergarten in japan 4 — a grass slope on the roof

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a hill kindergarten in japan 5 — a net playground on the roof

a hill kindergarten in japan 6 — view of the playground from the entrance through the hall

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looking cherry blossoms from the hall graduation ceremony at the hall night view night view concept sketch

project info:

name: Makoto Kindergarten
designer: STUDIO YY
location: City of Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
area: 850 sqm
site area: 2,800 sqm
structure: Inoue Kenichi
MEP: Toshio Takei

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