Ring around a Tree
Take an old but adored Japanese Zelkova tree, previously used by kindergarten children for climbing and games, and make it the central focus and natural component to a multi leveled learning and playing space that is the FUJI KINDERGARTEN “RING AROUND A TREE”. In this spiral of glass and wood designed by TEZUKA ARCHITECTS, children are encouraged to move between their 6 multi levels with complete freedom “to learn through the senses and body”.
I Love SALVATOR-JOHN A. LIOTTA’S description of the Kindergarten in his article for DOMUS MAGAZINE, “A visual turbine driven by the energy of childhood and nature.” This is how we should be designing educational spaces for children, where learning and play should coincide in perfect harmony.
Watch the below excellent TedTalk by Takaharu Tezuka the principal Architect for the Ring around a Tree Project.