Playful Child Care Clinic

Press Kit

Unique Properties

This building with its eye-catching roof is a pediatric clinic. Patients are soothed by the warmth of the wood and the curving design. The wall-to-wall bookshelf of picture books eases children's anxieties. The waiting areas are distributed in three locations to prevent infection, but the curved surfaces and atrium create a sense of spatial connectivity. Also, after the sun goes down, the light overflowing through the gaps in the roof gives a sense of ease to the inorganic streetscape.

Dimensions & Packaging

Areas: Site dimension 221 sqm / Plot ratio 80% / built area 165 sqm / Total floor space: 125 sqm

Tags

Architecture, Hospital, Design, Life, Health, Public, Clinic, Wood, Childcare

Production Technology

In designing this building, infectious disease control was an important consideration. Patients are directed by nurses to different waiting areas depending on their symptoms (infectious and non-infectious). The waiting area, which faces the outside and surrounds the examination rooms, creates two gently demarcated waiting areas. The fact that they are not separated by walls also has the advantage that nurses can respond quickly to sudden changes in a patient's condition.

Design Challenge

The shape of the roof was achieved through in-depth discussions with the structural designer. We went through a process of trial and error to find the shape that would look most beautiful when viewed from the street in front of the building. The steeply folded roof was a challenge, but as a result, the interior space feels spacious and defines the impression of the space. In addition, in order to make the tips look beautiful, the gutters were specially made instead of using ordinary ones.

Project Duration

Project duration did from September 2018 to May 2019.
Location is 2-11-3 Josai, Nishi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.

Operation Flow

The roof that wraps around the building not only increases the visibility of this building, but is also effective in the comfort that patients feel. The eaves extending toward the front street welcome patients. As they enter, they can see all the way to the second floor and are amazed at the expanse of space. And there are slits under each roof. This gives the large roof a light and friendly impression to people. The activities of the interior are expressed to the city through the slit.

Research

In Japanese clinics, patients are usually crowded into waiting rooms, which carries a high risk of nosocomial infection. We designed a building with spatial expansiveness throughout, while dividing the flow of patients according to their symptoms. We also avoided the inorganic space that is common in conventional clinics and designed the building with the warmth of wood. Currently, the building is also used as a vaccination site for COVID-19, supporting the health of local residents.

Inspiration

This is a reconstruction project for a pediatric clinic that has operated on this site for many years. TSC Architects were conscious of the connection with the community. They designed a space surrounded by the warmth of wood and picture books that would be endearing to local children. They also considered that the activities inside would be warmly expressed to the town. This building is an important part of the community, providing a sense of security for those raising children.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer ToLoLo studio
Image #2: Photographer ToLoLo studio
Image #3: Photographer ToLoLo studio
Image #4: Photographer ToLoLo studio
Image #5: Photographer ToLoLo studio

Patents

Yoshiaki Tanaka

Colors of Playful Child Care Clinic