SN design architects combines individual cubes into the enoki nursery school in japan

SN design architects has built the enoki nursery school in hamamatsu city, japan, as a collection of small cubes that blur the boundaries between outside and inside. developed for children from 0 to 2 years old, the small educational facility offers a flexible environment instead of a space divided according to ‘adult rules’, taking into consideration the strengths and limitations of such young ages, who are still unable to clearly express their wills and desires.all images by satoshi nakagawa

SN design architects has developed the enoki nursery school by opening gaps on a large box, and breaking it down to a collection of smaller boxes. with this method, all facilities are enclosed in individual volumes, while the open space that remains between them helps bring the rich external environment within the building, combining the outside with the inside, and lightness with darkness. at the same time, a large wooden roof unites all cubes and provides shelter from the elements even for the open gaps between them, while several openings on its surface bring plenty of natural light within the entire structure.

questioning whether adult architectural rules can apply to divide a building for children of such small age, the japanese studio has developed instead a much more fluid, gentle architecture. the final space has been designed to convey the subconsciousness of small children, balancing between the home and society, weakness and strength, the outside and the inside.

project info:

name: enoki nursery school

architect: SN design architects

built area: 163.75 m2

total floor area: 163.75 m2

structure: wooden frame construction

location: hamamatsu city, shizuoka prefecture, japan