Concordia Language Villages has initiated a design process to conceptualize and construct year-round facilities for Mori no Ike, the Japanese Language Village. This culturally authentic Village will be situated on one of the two remaining Concordia Language Villages sites on Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, Minnesota. In addition to being the site for Mori no Ike’s summer youth sessions, the new facility will be used for additional language and cultural programming for adults, families and school groups throughout the year. 

Programmatic use of the site is an integral part of the language and cultural immersion philosophy at Concordia Language Villages. The Village must, therefore, be authentic not only in its aesthetics and style, but also in providing a context for Japanese customs and daily/seasonal routines. 

New York firm of Ishida/Crandall has been hired as the design architect for the village. Aki Ishida was on staff as a counselor and a credit teacher at Mori no Ike for four summers and one winter weekend. Her knowledge of Japanese culture and language coupled with her first-hand experience with the Concordia Language Villages pedagogy will ensure that the site will be culturally authentic and truly reflect the vision of the Village.

http://www.ishidacrandall.com