Minami Yamashiro Primary School
The brief for a combined facility for children, as well as the community at large, is unusual within the Japanese educational system and called for a concept that would embrace the unique aspects of the brief. The new building was therefore conceived of as "a big house" - a series of spaces offering not only day-time schooling but evening classes and life-long learning opportunities for the village's adult population.
The heart of the school would be a large, linear common hall that would mediate between the outdoor playing fields and two levels of flexible classroom spaces.
The main building, sited on a levelled area at the top of the sloping site, is a simple rectangular extrusion arranged to align with the street, looking out over the tree canopy. The length of the building is crowned by a dynamic sequence of roof lights, designed to bring indirect natural light deep into the building, avoiding glare and negative solar gain.
Three spatial types: classrooms, special spaces (such as library, art and science facilities) and neutral spaces (such as the multi-function hall) are arranged to create an environment that works both as a school by day and community facility in the evening.
The free-standing multi-purpose gymnasium and assembly building acts as a "village hall" , anchoring the architectural composition and framing the approach to the main building and the playing field (including an outdoor swimming pool) which it contains on two sides. The concept of applying bright colours to the walls acts as a simple visual code for the children, defining the different areas and functions.
City and Context
The school is prominently situated on the brow of a hill in the centre of the village enjoying views out over the countryside and beyond. The school was designed to take advantage of natural light and ventilation, and embody a sympathetic relationship to its surroundings and context.
Public Realm
The building provides a new and important focus for the community, creating indoor and outdoor educational and recreational spaces that all of its members can use, regardless of age.
Energy
The expressive undulating roof acts as an environmental light and ventilation modulator. The north facing openings bring light deep into the building, while openable glass panels allow hot air to escape.
Legibility
The discipline of the economic structural grid creates a framework, into which modular elements are inserted as expressed forms. Bright colours are used as a way of distinguishing between the various types of spaces.
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