kengo kuma tops kindergarten in japan with multiple pitched roofs

kengo kuma & associates has completed a center for early childhood education and care in saitama city, japan. located in a quaint residential neighbourhood, ‘aitoku’ accommodates around 150 children with facilities that combine both a nursery school and kindergarten.

all images © katsumasa tanaka

the façade of the building is characterised by the vertical wood slats which forms the space between the windows that are positioned at different heights and lengths. kengo kuma’s design for the building derives from positioning small house-like volumes together to create one large two-storey building that would be more in relation to its residential context. the verticality of the façade in interrupted by the multiple pitched roofs that are at different angles. this feature was taken directly to reflect the landscape of the town. the interior of the kindergarten has been finished in wood. fabric lamps drape down from the ceiling to establish a gentle and comfortable learning environment for the children.

detail of the constructed roof system

different sized windows invites natural light into the interior which is mostly finished in wood

fabric lamps soften and adds a gentle character to the classrooms

the building sits on a corner plot of a carpark belonging to the kindergarten

aitoku kindergarten is located in kanagawa japan

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