Fuji Kindergarten : Takaharu Tezuka : Tokyo, Japan
Contrubuted by Tyler McGough
Principles and Elements
The Fuji Kindergarten, located in Tokyo, Japan, contains many basic principles and elements used at the core of design. A few that stand out specifically are shape, rhythm, and balance. The shape of the Fuji Kindergarten is most apparent with its large oval-shaped roof. Architect Takaharu Tezuka explains the use of looping shapes by stating, “Children love running in circles. When we brought our kids to the original kindergarten site, they kept making circles around the chairs. It was as if they had an instinctive need to do this, like a puppy that tries to bite its own tail by running in circles. So we designed Fuji Kindergarten to also be in the form of a circle so that the children could keep running, never knowing when to stop,” (WA Contents). This unity of the circle is also brought through the balance found in symmetry. Tezuka balances the design of the Fuji Kindergarten to counteract the natural trees around which the building was constructed and allows the imagination of the children to be in control while using the space. Additionally, the railing creates a rhythm to the space, ensuring the safety of the users and connecting to the never-ending idea of the building.
Connections
Takaharu Tezuka finds a multitude of ways to connect the Fuji Kindergarten to itself and buildings around the world. First, Tezuka connects the Montessori education ideals to the school itself. The American Montessori Society describes the ideal space as, “Within the community of a multi-age classroom—designed to create natural opportunities for independence, citizenship, and accountability—children embrace multi-sensory learning and passionate inquiry.” Therefore, by embracing the independent nature of Montessori learning, Tezuka created open areas for children to explore and learn on their own while still in the safety of the teacher’s watch. On top of the connection to the culture of the school, there are also physical connections from class to class. Areas are not sanctioned off, with the building only having five rooms separated by sliding glass walls. The use of glass with these walls, in addition to being able to open or close further, promotes the ideals of openness throughout the interior. Lastly, the shape of the building itself could resemble a racetrack, which can be seen across the globe, making this design able to be placed universally.
Materials
The architect uses mostly organic materials and glass to aid in the connection to nature and fully incorporate the exterior into the interior. Glass fully lines the walls of the building to the exterior, along with glass walls dividing the classroom space, and sunlight from the deck into the classrooms below. Along with glass, wood is abundantly used again in the interior and exterior. Planks of darker-stained wood are the main material of the roof/deck space, creating the illusion of the space strictly being a roof when no one is atop it. The interior uses mostly Paulownia wood on the flooring, chairs, tables, and to frame the glass panes. This wood is warmer and can elevate the productivity of the children through the colder months when the glass doors need to be closed.
Light and Color through the Space
Natural light and minimal color are a major focus of the Fuji Kindergarten. The large windows create ample lighting in every corner of the building. But on darker days, warm-toned light bulbs and less fluorescent lighting than one may expect line the ceilings of the interior. By increasing natural light and decreasing harsh lighting, students could feel calmer and happier as sunlight encourages healthy benefits. Continuing, the color palette of the building contains differing shades of wood, white ceilings, and greenery. This minimal scheme encourages the children to work with their imagination and develop creativity.
Experience
Takaharu Tezuka worked to create a space where every individual felt equal to one another. It is stated by WA Content, in the article, Takaharu Tezuka’s Fuji Kindergarten forms continuous space for children without extra equipment, “The Fuji Kindergarten demonstrates that architecture can profoundly enhance lives through understanding the cultural needs of the day, and responding through intellectual exploration and manifestation through the craft of architecture. This is an extraordinarily positive place—a giant playhouse filled with joy and energy, scaled to a broad range of the human condition.” Tezuka found a way to design an open space to fight against social hierarchy and serve as a playground without the need for any equipment. Some believe that children need extraordinary and complex forms to remain entertained. But Tezuka proves that with only a slide and the outdoors, children can have fun while staying protected by staff.
Design Theories
The Fuji Kindergarten follows many principles of the sustainable design theory. This theory follows the ideal of a building implementing a green approach from design to destruction. One way this is achieved through this building is with the open classrooms. By keeping the space open for the changing classes and needs of students or teachers, the building can be utilized for additional years without the need for reconstruction. To reduce the carbon footprint of the building, the large windows cut down on the need for lighting, and the doors are open from April to November, reducing air conditioning. Along with this, the building protected the trees that already stood on the site by building around them and incorporating them into the design. Finally, miniature gardens are placed outside the children’s classrooms to provide greenery and deposit compost while teaching the students the importance of the natural world.
Technology
While this building was constructed in 2007, there is not much found on the current technology of the building. However, the absence of technology tells a lot about the focus of this design. According to NHK World Japan, “laptops developed by a Japanese company in 1985 that created a huge new market for portable computers.” So, with the laptop around for 22 years, it can be argued that there was a conscious decision made by Takaharu Tezuka not to design a specific space for the technology. This decision would have aligned with Montessori’s goals and the clear connection with nature that Tezuka strove for the children to have.
Finishes
The details that finish the exterior and interior are small but make a big difference. The exterior uses minimal finishes but includes an area of the floor made up of branches and pebbles underneath water faucets to allow for water to drain with ease. Additionally, the metal railing adds contrast to the mostly wooden deck. The interior has fewer images to compare but has panels of wood with holes drilled into them to keep the interior clean, with travel between the courtyard and the classroom.
Furnishings
The interior of the Fuji Kindergarten contains wooden tables, wooden chairs, and wooden storage boxes. Takaharu Tezuka designed all of the furnishings to be to scale with the children, meaning there is no traditional head teacher’s desk. Along with this, the storage boxes were created so the children could move them around as necessary to divide the room or create more space. By replacing the walls with these furnishings, the classrooms are allowed to change with the varying lessons or needs of the users.
Storytelling
Takaharu Tezuka has a very clear message to portray with his building. He works on the bridge of nature with the individuality of children. The children are encouraged to make the space their own in part due to the minimal colors and simplistic shapes. The circles represent the unity of the space and the community they made, stacking forms avoided as it is representative of the hierarchies they strive to keep away.
