Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN

Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Image 2 of 13Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Interior Photography, WindowsTomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Interior Photography, Kitchen, ChairTomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Exterior Photography, WindowsTomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - More Images+ 8

Arakawa, Japan
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Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Image 2 of 13
© Takumi Ota

Text description provided by the architects. Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten, located in Tokyo’s Arakawa Ward, is a newly established private kindergarten with a capacity of 175 people. Seeing that the surrounding environment was densely populated by houses and factories, we aspired to create a space that would contribute to the growth of the children’s minds and bodies, and where the teachers and children could feel surrounded by nature. To achieve this, we arranged the classrooms and playroom to encircle the lush, green, light-filled garden to create a courtyard that brings the outside in.

Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Interior Photography, Windows
© Takumi Ota
Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Image 13 of 13
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Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Chair
© Takumi Ota

To correspond with the children’s developmental changes, we set up diverse spaces such as classrooms with different ceiling heights, playhouses suspended above the courtyard, and outdoor corridors which are looped and differ in width so that the children can have a variety of spaces to play or rest in. Furthermore, the uses for each space was not decided beforehand in order to give the teachers and children the freedom to enjoy and use the spaces in ways that benefit them. As designers, we can appreciate the way spaces change for the people that use them.

Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Exterior Photography, Windows
© Takumi Ota

To further stimulate and enrich the children’s sensitivity, the entire facility is planted three-dimensionally in a way that showcases the four seasons and the changes in vegetation. As nature transforms with the seasons, the insects and birds that the vegetation attracts can be enjoyed by the children and their parents. Inspired by these surroundings, natural motifs such as insects, trees, etc. are hidden within and around the building as patterns and objects, so that the children can enjoy the space by constantly discovering new things. As architects, we hope the special moments and memories made at Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten stay with the children even after graduation.

Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN - Interior Photography
© Takumi Ota

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Project location

Address:1 Chome-10-12 Machiya, Arakawa, Tokyo 116-0001, Japan

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Tomonoki-Himawari Kindergarten / MAMM DESIGN" 10 Apr 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/904310/tomonoki-himawari-kindergarten-mamm-design> ISSN 0719-8884

© Takumi Ota

在密集的厂房区里,还孩子们一个庭院幼儿园 / MAMM DESIGN

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