# Elemental School Courtyards This School for Kids Becomes a Splashpad in the Rain By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-07-03 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/school-for-kids References: [en.rocketnews24](http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/07/04/kumamoto-preschool-designed-to-become-a-giant-puddle-when-it-rains/) & [studio-bauhaus](http://www.studio-bauhaus.com/) Knowing that kids will go out of their way to jump in a puddle if they see one, Japanese architecture firms Hibino Sekkei and [Youji no Shiro](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nursery) created a playful school for kids that would allow them to do just this. The two-storey school's most exciting feature is a central courtyard that is open to the skies above, letting in the sunshine on a good day, as well as rain on a cloudy one. Since the roof is fully retractable, this section can even be frozen over to create an icy rink for kids, giving them a [safe area for supervised play](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-and-nike). When the space is fully dry, it also serves as the perfect indoor activity area. This multipurpose space provides numerous stimuli to keep kids entertained all season long. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Multipurpose School Spaces:** Designing schools to have versatile features that can cater to children's different needs as the seasons change. - **Interactive Courtyards:** Creating innovative and interactive outdoor spaces that can be used for play and learning purposes. - **Weather-proof Architecture:** Incorporating technology that caters to different weather conditions, allowing children to enjoy the outdoors all-year-round. ### Where This Applies - **Education:** Schools can incorporate these design trends to create a more engaging and dynamic learning environment for children. - **Architecture:** Architects and builders can consider incorporating these design trends into the planning and construction of educational and community buildings. - **Recreation:** Recreational spaces and parks can benefit from design trends that create engaging and interactive outdoor spaces for children and families. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Education Architecture Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rainbow-international-school.md) - [Nature-Promoting School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/primary-school-1.md) - [Nature-Bounding School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cole-du-znith.md) - [Dome-Style School Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/al-fanar.md) - [Yellow-Accented School Interiors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/school-interior.md) - [Sustainable Colorful School designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wonderland-elementary-school.md) - [Terraced School Complexes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robert-badinter-secondary-school.md) - [Blue-Toned School Makeovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fuquiang-school.md) - [Town-Like Classroom Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kindergarten-of-museum.md)