YM Nursery Nursery

YM Nursery Nursery

YM Nursery Nursery is an innovative architectural project completed in 2018 in Yonago, Tottori, Japan, that exemplifies thoughtful design integration with natural surroundings and child-centered developmental principles. The nursery, which garnered recognition with an Iron A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design category, encompasses a total floor area of 1,145.63 square meters spread across two stories within a steel structure. The design philosophy centers on fostering children's sensory development through deliberate material selection and spatial arrangement, incorporating local natural materials that enable young learners to experience various textures and connect with their environmental heritage. Notable architectural features include a unique toilet space with stainless steel partitions inspired by traditional Kugogama pottery, a 100-meter circular corridor with integrated exercise-promoting signage, and multiple climbing installations that encourage physical activity. The facility's construction demonstrates exceptional environmental consciousness through the implementation of reused materials from older structures, including rocks in the exterior gabion walls and repurposed wooden elements. The nursery's design successfully addresses the challenge of creating an engaging learning environment that maintains strong connections to local culture and natural surroundings, while incorporating traditional elements such as mud walls at the entrance and class signs crafted from Yumihama Gasuri, a traditional local fabric. The project's innovative approach to children's spatial design is evident in its careful consideration of natural lighting, material sustainability, and the integration of play-based learning opportunities throughout the structure.

nursery design, child-centered architecture, sustainable building, sensory learning environment, Japanese educational facilities, natural material construction

— Adam Dawson