This is a new campus project for an international school with several decades of history in Japan. The existing building in the city center became cramped, leading the school to search for a new campus site in Yokohama City, which also has good access from Tokyo. The design of the new campus called for an ideal school architecture that could embody the school’s philosophy. The focus was on pursuing designs and spatial layouts that would allow children from various countries to deeply appreciate Japan’s traditional culture.

The exterior shape of this building draws inspiration from the beautiful scenery of “rice terraces,” a traditional landscape in Japan. The campus, designed with this rice terrace concept, is well-suited as an environment where students’ intellects are nurtured, and their rich sensibilities are cultivated. Furthermore, the unique sectional shape, gradually stacking from the north to the south of the site, fully complies with the strict shadow regulations of Japan’s building standards.

The ascending arrangement from north to south, where green-roofed open terraces overlap, recalls the richness of the Japanese landscape that once existed. Despite being situated in an urban area, it creates a place where one can spend time considering environmental conservation and experiencing the abundance of nature.

In the interior planning, a large skylight and an open atrium space were secured, spanning across the center of the elongated building shape. This created a beautifully well-lit environment in the building. Glass partitions were used for classrooms to make the space open and inviting, aiming to foster various discoveries and interactions among students.

Category:EnvironmentsYear:2023Designers:Nobuaki Miyashita, MR STUDIO Co.,Ltd., Nakano-ku, Tokyo, JapanManufacturer:joneslanglasalle-Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan