Architects: HIBINOSEKKEI, Kids Design Labo, Youji no Shiro
Area: 921 m²
Year: 2023
Photographs: KIDS DESIGN LABO
Manufacturers: Bozo, GANTAN BEAUTY INDUSTRY, Runon
Lead Architects: HIBINOSEKKEI
City: Kitakyushu
Country: Japan
MJK Kindergarten, designed by HIBINOSEKKEI, Youji no Shiro, and Kids Design Labo, is a renovation project for a 240-capacity kindergarten in Moji, Kitakyushu City, surrounded by the sea and mountains. Inspired by the nearby “Midori Valley,” the playground, with its 3-meter elevation, features natural play equipment and trees. Classrooms are arranged in an L-shaped layout facing the playground, with a Japanese-style veranda corridor connecting them, allowing children to experience seasonal and weather changes. A courtyard preserves existing trees, and a dining area with openable windows encourages interaction with nature, fostering environmental respect. By emphasizing autonomy and free movement, the kindergarten supports self-directed learning and holistic development.
This renovation project focuses on an aging kindergarten with a capacity of 240 children, located in Moji, Kitakyushu City. The site is situated in a residential area, surrounded by the expansive sea to the north and majestic mountains to the south, offering a setting rich in natural beauty. The kindergarten’s playground, heavily influenced by the nearby “Midori Valley,” features a more than 3-meter elevation difference. The existing site has long been cherished by children as a captivating play area with natural playground equipment and abundant trees, providing a space for symbiosis and learning. Respecting this environment, the design intentionally blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors by seamlessly integrating external nature into the interior.
All classrooms are positioned on the ground floor in an L-shaped layout, facing the playground to encourage interaction with nature. An external corridor, reminiscent of a traditional Japanese veranda, connects the classrooms and playground, bringing daily movement into a semi-outdoor space. This design allows children to continuously experience natural changes, such as feeling rain falling from the roof or sensing seasonal transitions carried by the wind. These daily encounters refine their sensory awareness and foster the development of independent thinking and decision-making skills.
The building incorporates a courtyard designed to protect the existing trees that have stood at the kindergarten since its establishment. Adjacent to the courtyard is a dining area with fully openable windows, enabling children to enjoy meals while experiencing the seasons and observing the changes in the surrounding trees. By prioritizing the preservation of these trees, the design helps children develop an understanding and respect for the environment, fostering a sense of appreciation for nature and promoting awareness of sustainability for the future.
In recent years, early childhood facilities have often prioritized excessive safety and comfort. In contrast, this kindergarten focuses on fostering children’s autonomy by providing an environment that encourages free movement while maintaining a strong connection with nature. This approach helps nurture children’s sensory development and promotes self-directed early childhood education.
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Project Location
Address: Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
