Heatherwick Studio was commissioned to create the first school. In response to the relatively small space in central Tokyo, the prestigious British company has turned to greenery in an unusual layout with a focus on providing outdoor learning areas and spacious playgrounds for children to play outside. designed a filled building.
The British School in Tokyo will be eight stories high and 15,000 square meters (approximately 161,500 square feet). Its overall form is a bit reminiscent of the Castellana 69 office Heatherwick Studios is building in Spain, defined by the spacious terrace he area and balconies. They also plan to host a large number of plants, shrubs and trees that will be maintained by school children, the company says.
Neil Hubbard, partner and group leader at Heatherwick Studios, explains: “So we wedged a playground between each classroom to create an outdoor learning space. Students can explore and interact with each other and their teachers much more freely than in a traditional school environment. The brick spandrels are a nod to the importance of the historic Azabudai Post Office, undulating to create open balconies and diversity along the high ground, just like a school should be, a little playful. .”
Heatherwick Studio
The British School in Tokyo teaches a British-style curriculum to over 800 students from over 50 countries. In addition to traditional classrooms, it features an outdoor study area, a common area for group study, two libraries, a music and art studio, and a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) center. It also has two sports pitches, a dance studio, a sports hall and an indoor swimming pool.
The school is currently under construction and is expected to open later this year. It forms part of Heatherwick Studios’ larger ongoing green development in Azabudai Hills.
Source: Heatherwick Studios
