JPP Nursery in Tsuruga: An Inclusive Childcare Facility by HIBINOSEKKEI, Youji no Shiro, and Kids Design Labo

Location: Tsuruga, Japan Architects: HIBINOSEKKEI + Youji no Shiro + Kids Design Labo Area: 413 m² Completion Year: 2022 Photography: © Ryuji Inoue

Redefining Early Childhood Education Through Community-Inspired Design

JPP Nursery is a groundbreaking employer-sponsored childcare center located in the port city of Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture. Designed by HIBINOSEKKEI, Youji no Shiro, and Kids Design Labo, this 413-square-meter facility reimagines early childhood education through a lens of inclusivity, diversity, and community engagement.

Guided by the core concept of “a facility that learns from the community and embraces diversity,” JPP Nursery blends daycare, after-school care, and post-illness childcare in a single unified environment that supports children from 0 to 18 years old, including those with and without disabilities.

Inclusive Architecture for an Inclusive Society

In response to Japan’s growing emphasis on inclusive education, JPP Nursery aims to foster a supportive, empathetic environment where children of all backgrounds and abilities can learn and grow together. The design addresses both physical and social integration by removing barriers and promoting shared experiences.

Despite ongoing challenges in implementing inclusive childcare—including staff shortages and concerns over integration—this facility sets a precedent for what a socially integrated learning space can be. The architectural approach encourages mutual respect, empathy, and cohabitation, aligning with policies promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.

A Port City Legacy Reimagined in Child-Friendly Design

Tsuruga once flourished as a global trading port connecting Asia and Europe. JPP Nursery draws upon this historical legacy through architectural gestures that celebrate connection and movement. Located near Tsuruga Port, the building’s most prominent feature is a pyramid-shaped deck terrace, inspired by the port's iconic lighthouses. This elevated structure invites play, movement, and interaction, serving as both a functional and symbolic gathering point for children.

Local Materials and Textures: Fostering Sensory Awareness

JPP Nursery integrates local craftsmanship and regional materials throughout its design. Three distinct types of clay walls using soil sourced from the area enrich the interiors with natural textures. The exterior tiles and interior flooring reflect traditional motifs and plant patterns found in the surrounding landscape.

Color plays a key role in expressing the concept of diversity. Fixtures, furniture, and frames are painted in a variety of hues—random yet harmonious, symbolizing the mix of personalities, backgrounds, and stories that children bring into the space.

Designing Spaces That Stimulate Curiosity and Community Interaction

The layout connects rooms via a community space that includes interactive clay wall mazes and a picture book corner, encouraging playful exploration and collaborative learning. Each element is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity, storytelling, and sensory development.

To prevent the isolation of program-specific rooms, the guidance and training room features large openings that face the town, allowing children to visually connect with the community. Similarly, the lunchroom—adjacent to an outdoor playground—opens fully to reveal views of the verdant Hikawa Shrine, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor environment that nurtures a child’s sense of place and environmental awareness.

Creating Empathetic Citizens Through Architecture

JPP Nursery is more than a childcare facility—it is a microcosm of the inclusive society it seeks to shape. Through architecture that invites interaction, celebrates diversity, and encourages emotional intelligence, the project allows children to learn from each other, explore their community, and build meaningful relationships from a young age.

By embracing local culture, material authenticity, and universal design principles, HIBINOSEKKEI, Youji no Shiro, and Kids Design Labo deliver a visionary model for inclusive early education architecture—one that invites children to grow, connect, and thrive.

All photographs are works of Ryuji Inoue