naf architect & design encloses 'small pond' nursery school in tokyo with curved wood façade

naf architect & design has clad the small pond nursery school in tokyo with a wooden façade that follows the angle of the road, enclosing a large open garden behind it. the two-story building, which combines reinforced concrete and wood in its construction, is built on two main principals: to provide a secure place for both children and adults; and to create opportunities for them to interact with natural elements, such as soil, greenery, light, wind, and temperature. an open air garden forms the center of the school, surrounded by protected terraces and the interior spaces.all images by toshiyuki yano

naf architect & design has built the wooden façade as a buffer zone between the neighborhood and the school, while its gradual change in height resonates with the dimensions of the surrounding buildings. as contact with nature has been one of the main goals of the design program, the japanese architecture firm developed a space composition that allows students to experience different light and wind conditions in each of the nursery rooms, while making sure interior and exterior spaces can easily be turned into one continuous area. the garden, which is characterized by an abundance of soil and water, is connected to the rooftop, allowing for a series of exterior spaces that children can enjoy.

high-durability flooring has been used both in the nursery rooms and toilets so that even small children do not feel afraid, as they tend to feel uncomfortable when switching flooring, according to the architects. in the garden, a series of trees including fruit trees provide ingredients for making jam, while a soft lawn terrain underneath and easy-to-climb branches make them part of the children’s playtime. looking to create a strong connection with the surrounding community, the school’s hall is set up not only for use inside the nursery school, but also for events, such as welcoming and listening to elderly people from nearby.