Himi Shinmachi Daycare Centre By Shio Architect Design Office: Toyama, Japan

Located in the heart of Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, the Himi Shinmachi Daycare Centre is a thoughtfully designed two-storey wooden facility replacing a 50-year-old nursery. Designed by Shio Architect Design Office and completed in 2023, this daycare exemplifies high-quality educational architecture in a rural context, providing children with an inspiring environment for early learning while contributing meaningfully to the local community.

Secured through a selective public tender process, the project allowed the design team to expand their expertise in public building projects while delivering a facility that balances functionality, safety, and aesthetic quality. The site’s elongated north-south layout presented structural challenges, including an existing sewer pipe that required the building to be positioned carefully to ensure construction feasibility.

The centre uses a traditional wooden framework construction method, incorporating locally sourced timber through the Forestry Agency’s regional material subsidy program. This approach emphasizes sustainable architecture while exposing children to authentic natural materials. Wood and tiles are used throughout, allowing young learners to experience genuine textures and tactile surfaces from an early age, fostering a sensory-rich environment.

Maximizing natural light was a key design focus, particularly given the limited sunny days in the Hokuriku region. The building’s layout and large openings allow daylight to fill indoor spaces even on overcast days, ensuring children enjoy bright, cheerful areas for play and learning. Safety was carefully considered; the design minimizes sharp corners while providing ample room for children to move freely and comfortably.

The interior spaces include open play areas, dining rooms, and activity zones that emphasize spatial fluidity. The exterior features a warm wooden façade that harmonizes with the surrounding urban and natural environment, creating a welcoming presence in Himi City. By combining sustainable design, natural materials, and child-friendly architecture, the Himi Shinmachi Daycare Centre provides a model for rural educational facilities that prioritize both community and environmental integration.

This project reflects Shio Architect Design Office’s philosophy of creating high-quality, locally grounded architecture, blending traditional construction methods with contemporary design principles to enrich the lives of children, educators, and the broader community.

All the photographs are works of  Satoshi Asakawa