Works

Exterior design in image of "embroidery" of Montessori education

Karashidane Umeda "Children’s Home" was founded in 1965 by a German Jesuit, Father Petro Heidrich as a training facility of Sophia School of Social Welfare. In 1972, the operation and management of this nursery school were transferred to Karashidane, a social welfare corporation, and have remained as such up to the present. This nursery school provides child care based on the Montessori method: Mixed-grade classes, each consisting of mixed-age children, in which they carry out activities using "hands" with the help of various teaching aids. The balcony was designed with an image of "embroidery" conducted in Montessori education using needles and threads, giving a symbolic appearance to the nursery school. The use of white outer walls made the building contrast beautifully with the green of Umeda Park during the season of new green leaves. The former nursery school building was extended and renovated several times in the past but needed overall reconstruction on the same site due to its deterioration. Although the building area was limited for overall reconstruction, as much child-care space was secured as possible by eliminating corridors in the plan wherever feasible. The new play yard is provided on the southern side, giving it abundant light and greenery.