Sharing Our Plans for the New Campus

by Bob Pomeroy, Head of Operations

Join us on the evening of Wednesday, September 18 for a look at the new campus design with architect Kengo Kuma and the launch of our YIS2C Capital Campaign.

The past six months since we obtained the site in Kominatocho (Honmoku) for the new YIS campus has been a busy and exciting time, as our lead architects for the project, Kengo Kuma & Associates (KKAA), have been working to give shape to our hopes and dreams. The starting point for this work was the architectural brief that we prepared to focus the design around our learning programs and close sense of community, including the central tenet that all spaces should be considered learning spaces and the belief that shared spaces of interaction are essential to enabling all community members to feel a connection to the school. Over the ensuing months, input from across all teaching, learning and extracurricular disciplines throughout the school informed the design, layout and flow of classrooms, open hubs and other common spaces. 

We are exceedingly pleased with the resulting schematic design (basic design) completed by KKAA over the summer, and would like to take this opportunity at the beginning of the school year to share the design with our school community. We have planned several presentations with the students in the coming weeks, and will be seeking further input from them, particularly with respect to the design and functionality of the open hub and outdoor spaces. In addition, we cordially invite parents, staff and alumni to join us on the evening of Wednesday, September 18, from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm in the Auditorium for an introduction to the new campus design by Kengo Kuma himself. Kuma-san, a Yokohama native widely recognized as one of the world’s leading architects, is particularly well known for his use of wood and other natural materials, and his notable projects include the new Olympic Stadium now being constructed for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. In addition, Craig Coutts and others will also be able to talk about some of the key opportunities and improvements that the new campus will bring, update you on the project status and schedule, and answer any general questions.

Introducing the YIS2C Capital Campaign

We would also like to use this occasion to formally launch the YIS2C Capital Campaign. The new campus represents by far the largest investment in the school’s history. Although the vast majority of the project funding will come from our capital reserves, proceeds from the sale of our current property and low-interest loan financing, we are asking the YIS community for additional support to help us realize this dream. On the evening of September 18, we will talk about the campaign goals, why we are asking for your support and the different areas to which you can direct your support, along with practical  information on how to give, tax deductibility of contributions and other matters.  

We hope you'll join us for this informational evening to hear more about our new campus as we step into our second century.