In Chiba Prefecture, Japan, Studio YY has reimagined a 50-year-old kindergarten as a playful forest hill for the children. The pre-existing wooden building was transformed into a certified childcare center designed to overlook the green surroundings, allowing the young students to interact with nature. Adopting hill-like shape with grass slopes and vibrant playground installations, the project seeks to nurture energetic children who love to be active, playful and creative. 

all images by GRAPHY Inc.

Studio YY (see more here) has designed the kindergarten as if it were built on a hill overlooking the green space so that the children would be surrounded by nature and learn through play. For kids who love to run and climb, the team has formed a hill-like single-sloping roof, with various playgrounds scattered throughout its entirety. The color and shapes of the playgrounds stimulate the students’ imagination, while the installed cave walls and climbing pillars, pique their curiosity and encourage them to discover a new world of fun.

Under the roof, the nursery and the forest hall are arranged side by side, facing the green space and generating a forest-like environment. Meanwhile, the hall was placed in the center of the preschool building to provide a place where local residents and parents can also interact with each other. 

various playgrounds have been installed on the sloping roof

a grass slope on the roof

a net playground on the roof

view of the playground from the entrance through the hall

name: Makoto Kindergarten designer: STUDIO YY location: City of Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan area: 850 sqm site area: 2,800 sqm structure: Inoue Kenichi MEP: Toshio Takei

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

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