Sugawara Tenman Kusunoki Nursery School｜Abax Architects

Following the expansion and renovation of the kindergarten, a nursery facility was established as a community support center. Within a densely populated residential area stands the Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine, overseen by the sacred camphor tree that dominates the site. Along the curved street, a hexagonal single-story lunchroom is positioned, while the childcare rooms are located deeper within the site to maintain a quiet environment.

Although the building is modest in scale, the connection of differently shaped volumes creates an enclosed exterior space where children can feel secure. A courtyard was designed around an originally planted pomelo tree, which bears fruit larger than the children's heads in winter. It is our hope that when recalling the nursery school attended daily with their mothers, the architecture will quietly appear in the corner of those memories.