takashige yamashita tops small town nursery with a big roof in japan

located in a peaceful town in the yamanashi prefecture not far from mount fuji, takashige yamashita office (TYO) has constructed a small nursery defined by its oversized timber roof. the dual-purpose space is designed to accommodate the young children of the town in japan, but also evolve into a gathering space for the community; described by the architect ‘like a big tree’.

takashige yamashita – a small nursery with a big roof
all images © kenichi suzuki

on the same site as the toranoko nursery, there are also three facilities for the elderly. the new nursery is located at the center of this site, surrounded by the other building and using its core location, architect takashige yamashita decided to design a community space for everyone and not just the children. as a result, there is lounge area for the adults which is connected to the rest of the nursery spaces.

almost like a ribbon, the roof provides shelter over the garden, sandpit and terrace area

the material expression of the exterior continues into the light-filled spaces inside. the structure itself is made up of a steel portal frame, which stands up from a footing beam of reinforced concrete setting a boundary between rooms. the curving timber roof spans to 10 meters and shelters the inside spaces but also serves as a canopy over the open areas. the gentle curvature of the roof has influenced a sequence of scenery; garden, lounge, lunchroom, nursing room and office. in turn, the nursery has become a place for everyone under one roof.

the nursing room

all spaces have connection to the surroundings

paintings have been added to the walls by artist mirocomachiko

the nursery has views of mount fuji in the distance

the building sits in between an eldery home and assisted living home

the roof is structural plywood over a steel portal frame

‘small nursery with a big roof’

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project info:

project: toranoko nursery -a small nursery with a big roof-
project location: yamanashi prefecture, japan
program: nursery
site area: 296.13m2
building area: 177.24m2
total floor area: 170.66m2
structure: steel frame + wooden roof
scale: one storey
design period: 01.06.2015 – 29.02.2016
construction period: 10.03.2016 – 31.10.2016

client: seiko-kai
architect: takashige yamashita + takashige yamashita office (tyo）
structural engineer: sasaki structural consultants
wall painting: mirocomachiko
general contractor: usuko sangyo

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