PLP Architecture has unveiled the design for Epsom International School Tokyo, the redevelopment of an existing building into a five-storey primary school located in the heart of the Japanese capital. Serving children aged 3 to 11, the school brings the spirit of the historic British institution into a distinctly Japanese setting, reimagining the traditions of English education through a design language of creativity, playfulness and craft.

Developed by PLP’s studios in London and Tokyo, the project reflects a deep understanding of both cultural context and educational ambition. Rather than replicating Epsom’s original Surrey campus, the Tokyo school evolves its architectural language and academic ethos to create a learning environment rooted in inquiry, imagination and social connection.

From the moment of arrival, the building sets out a carefully choreographed spatial journey. Parents move from a shaded waiting garden into the “Storyway” gallery, which celebrates student achievements, before reaching the reception and lounge. For children, the progression builds anticipation and a sense of belonging, with softened light, glowing timber walls and calming material tones offering a warm welcome. The interior palette – combining dark blue accents, warm oak, walnut and precise metal detailing – echoes Epsom’s identity but reinterpreting it into a new character of its own.

The school is vertically organised by age, in line with the British education system, with each floor centred around a communal hub tailored to its cohort. These hubs support children’s developmental needs at each stage: from playful landscapes in Early Years, to collaborative corners in Key Stage 1, and dialogue-rich forums in Key Stage 2. A curated programme of spatial elements – including puzzle walls, maker spaces and reading nooks – fosters interaction, resilience and creativity.

Learning environments are conceived as laboratories of imagination. Classrooms and shared areas blend STEM, play, art and Epsom’s medical heritage to create tactile and engaging experiences. Prisms, gears and puzzles make abstract concepts tangible, while digital storytelling and art walls encourage empathy, expression and voice.
Throughout, the interiors are entirely child-focused. Pastel tones drawn from Epsom’s house values – Courage, Kindness, Wisdom, Integrity and Ambition – help define a calm yet distinctive identity. Modular, age-scaled furniture supports independent discovery and adaptive use across the building.

PLP’s design for the Epsom International School is the latest to be announced in PLP’s extensive portfolio of works in Japan, which includes the Tokyo Cross Park Vision, a 1.1 million square metre masterplan and mixed-use development currently under construction opposite the Imperial Palace. With a permanent studio in Tokyo, PLP is active throughout the country, working on all scales of architecture, urban design and strategy.