Himi Shinmachi Daycare Centre by Shio Architect Design Office

This is a construction project for a new, two-story wooden daycare center, replacing a nursery built approximately 50 years ago. This project was secured through a selective tender process. In recent years, it has become increasingly challenging for design firms to secure public building projects. This tender system enables us to take on projects of a manageable scale, allowing us to enhance our expertise and build valuable experience. Our aim is to contribute to the community by creating high-quality architecture in rural areas, where children can experience exceptional design from an early age.

At the same time, we are expanding our capabilities and pushing the boundaries of our work. The site is located in the heart of Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, and is characterized by its narrow, elongated shape running north to south. A key constraint was that an existing sewer pipe runs through the center of the site, making construction directly above it impossible. Consequently, the building had to be positioned either to the north or south of this pipe.

In terms of structure, the building was designed using a traditional wooden framework construction method, incorporating locally sourced timber. This approach was made possible through the Forestry Agency’s subsidy program, which promotes the use of regional materials. With the limited number of sunny days in the Hokuriku region, one of the key design concepts was to create a space that would remain bright and filled with natural light.