Children?s Forest Nursery School is a preschool designed for children aged 0 to 5, strategically located on a hill amidst a forest near Mount Fuji.
© Takashige Yamashita Office
When we initially explored the site, it was adorned with Hinoki trees. The dappled sunlight filtering through the branches created a beautiful interplay of light on the ground, inspiring us to envision a sunlit space gently nestled in the woods. The unique topography, characterized by undulating slopes and a hill rising 3-4 meters west of the site, was deemed essential to preserve. We saw it as a natural feature that would allow children to experience and incorporate it into their educational journey at the Children?s Forest Nursery School .
© Kai Nakamura Children?s Forest Nursery School’s Design Concept
At Children’s Forest Nursery School – Individual cubical units house rooms for each age group and additional spaces like temporary care and the teachers’ lounge. These units are strategically positioned on different ground levels and angles. Each volume is oriented to embrace its own unique view of the surrounding natural scenes. For instance, the terrace for 2-5-year-olds faces an expansive grass field, allowing easy access for play. The area features an 8-meter-tall symbolic tree for shade and a hill with a small tunnel for crawling. Other rooms designed for a serene atmosphere are surrounded by forest and woods, while those situated near the courtyard beside the hall off...