Woodification of Architecture 2 Shima no Mori Kodomoen

In response to Mie Prefecture’s ordinance promoting wooden architecture, Shima no Mori Kodomoen was built using local timber and serves as a certified nursery school and kindergarten.

Located on a scenic highland in Iseshima, the nursery school has a peaceful atmosphere similar to a traditional Ama hut, with clapboard siding designed to resist the sea breeze. Inside, the building features 150-year-old hinoki cypress polished logs as structural elements and uses wood generously in places that children often touch such as wainscoting, and indoor and terrace flooring.

These 16 polished hinoki logs were harvested at their optimal time, each 400mm in log-end diameter, usually unavailable on the market. The total amount of local timber used in the construction reached 133.6㎥.

The nursery school’s interior radiates the warmth and charm of wood culture, especially in the central octagonal playroom, which features a skylight and intricate wooden ceiling. This design creates a welcoming space that embodies the natural beauty and cultural heritage of wood.