(Photo: Hibino Sekkei)
The excess water in the atrium isn’t an accident, but the result of intentional design. It's a preschool, so it could be only great fun to have puddles for water play right next to the classrooms.
Here is Dia-ichi Yochien, a new school in Kumamoto City, Japan. Architect Taku Hibino says that the open area can serve several purposes, including as a softball field during the summer and an ice skating rink during the winter. You can see more photos at Spoon & Tamago.
Me as a parent: "Oh, the shoes that'll ruin!"