While most schools keep kids inside during rainy weather, one preschool in Southern Japan encourages creative play in rain puddles. The Dai-Ichi Yochien preschool building in Kumamoto City has a courtyard that was designed to collect rainwater in to a large puddle that the children are encouraged to wade and play in.
When it’s not raining, the space can used as a sports yard, and it can even be used as an ice rink during the winter months.
The whole school is bright and open with floor to ceiling windows, and a selection of outdoor rooms that truly bring the outdoors in.
Architect Youji No Shiro designed the preschool with this open plan to encourage creative thought processes in the children as well as the teachers. We think it’s pretty amazing! What do you think?
