Kinari Kindergarten and Nursery by Taku Hibino

---

DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

TH : Making the most of nature and environment which it has by itself and connecting inside and outside.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

TH : Whether people’s life will become rich and comfortable.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

TH : To tell our children design philosophy to many people. And hope improve more the environment for children, the elderly and the disabled people.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

TH : In one month

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

TH : To produce the one and only design every time. Everything is designed by our staffs, so do I.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

TH : Another company doesn’t design and produce. It’s possible we sell and lease the right to others, but haven’t planned yet.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

TH : To make the life of children, the elderly and the disabled rich.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

TH : Geoffrey Bawa and Peter Zumthor

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

TH : People who want to improve the environment for children, the elderly and the disabled.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

TH : We can always find some hints in the different fields.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

TH : “Youji no Shiro” means “Castle of Children” for looking upon children as the most important in designing.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

TH : Without bright color and any amusement devise, our design can make children enjoy a lot.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

TH : Generally all designs are done by us, If some technics are needed to realize a design, we collaborate with professionals

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

TH : Design is to realize.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

TH : Some parts are influenced by them. The research of the children’s exercise quantity and food quantity are being conducted and our design is always connecting to these data.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

TH : I face the challenge how the design will give good influences to people.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

TH : To tell our activities and design philosophy for children to many people.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

TH : Whenever we work with people, we always discover and notice new things.