Youji no Shiro Architects 坂野由典建筑設計事務所

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

Hibinosekkei+youji No Shiro

AREA
0 sqft - 1000 sqft

STATUS
Built

YEAR
2017

LOCATION
Saga, Japan

TYPE
Educational › Nursery

The owner, whose project we designed and completed 5 years ago, consulted us again to " build an area in the school where children can develop their creativity through role playing".

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

After understanding the requirement, we wanted to break away from the already existing toys and playground kindergarten typology, and to design the space in sync with our belief that "when children role play, they try imitating adults."

Sticking around this notion we decided to design one mini house within the existing building, where children can imitate their parents and their real world activities.

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

AS A RESULT, THIS “OUCHI” WAS BUILT.

"Ouchi", includes a kitchen, table, laundry, wood stove, etc. The kitchen is further equipped with frying pans, forks, knives, spoons, cups, toaster, rice cooker, chopping board, pots, and also the refrigerator to store food

Children may enact their mothers, by making a meal from various ingredients, decorating the table with flowers, and also arranging dishes while dining. After the meal, children may also clean and wash dishes in the sink.

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

They may turn on the heater during cold, and eat at the terrace when sunny. They can put clothes into the washing machine and then also keep it for drying.

This "ouchi" is a place to bring up children's innovation and imagination through various role-playing activities. Furthermore, we also brought the children to site during construction to give them a firsthand touch and feel experience of a carpenter’s job.

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

By this, we are challenging the conventional methods and creating opportunities to increase the possibility of exploration and curiosity amongst children, by keeping them in close contact with the adult jobs.

The existing toys and playground equipment are produced to cope with the law of Product Liability, and hence fashioned cautiously towards customer security and spoon fed guidance.

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

This inhibits the creativity and curiosity amongst children, by making things straight and clear and hence eradicating the possibility of exploration.

To handle the situation well, our design is based on this essential concept, where children could continuously create challenge and grow.

Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

To complete this concept, its essential to allow children to explore in here with full freedom and less direct interference from the teachers. The owner understands this well and hence keeps an eye on children from a distance.

As a result, we have the scenes where children continuously create and challenge with wonderful smiles on their face. We are looking forward to the future they will make for themselves.


Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)
Ouchi (Small House for Kids)

Youji no Shiro Architects 坂野由典建筑設計事務所
Youji no Shiro Architects 坂野由典建筑設計事務所