tadashi suga articulates takeno kindergarten around a courtyard playground
photography by yoshiharu matsumura

 

 

 

in a built-up area of kobe city, japanese practice tadashi suga architects office has completed the ‘takeno nursery school’ – a public kindergarten. as the building is positioned on a prominent corner plot surrounded by busy roads, the design team positioned the playground at the center of the plan, with the building constructed along the site’s boundaries. consequently, a partially sheltered inner area is created where children can play in a safe and secluded environment. other benefits of this courtyard layout include effective natural ventilation and a increased daylight throughout the scheme.

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
the design team positioned the playground at the center of the plan

 

 

 

at the upper level of the plan a green roof overlooks the courtyard, serving as a natural extension of the interior program. owing to its careful scaling, from the passing street the building takes the form of a single-storey structure, softening the junction with its neighboring environment.

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
 a partially sheltered inner area is created where children can play in a secluded environment

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
effective natural ventilation and a increased interior daylight is also achieved

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
the building is constructed along the site’s boundaries

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
a spacious double-height volume

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
at the upper level of the plan a green roof overlooks the courtyard

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
the rooftop serves as a natural extension of the interior program

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
from the passing street the building takes the form of a single-storey structure

tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
the entrance to the kindergarten

 

drawings

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tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
 
tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
 
tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
 
tadashi suga architects office takeno nursery kobe city designboom
 

 

project info:

 

name: takeno nursery
location: kobe city, hyogo prefecture, japan
client: kenichi ohama
design: tadashi suga architects office co., ltd.
person in charge: tadashi suga, shintaro fukuhara
construction: yoshikawa-gumi co., ltd.
person in charge: kenichi ishikawa, syougo hira
photography: yoshiharu matsumura
site area: 697.88 sqm
building area: 417.08 sqm
total floor area: 497.64 sqm