Kindergartens Treperka and Waldorf Semily by MTa

Harmonizing Waldorf and Municipal Education in a Sustainable, Child-Centric Architectural Design

Located near the confluence of the Jizera and Oleška rivers on the outskirts of Semily, Czechia, Kindergartens Treperka and Waldorf Semily, designed by MTa, create an inclusive and sustainable environment for early childhood education. Completed in 2022, the 1300 m² complex serves 110 children aged 3–6 years, uniting two educational philosophies—municipal and Waldorf—under one innovative roof.

Spatial Planning and Concept

The architectural approach centers around shared infrastructure while respecting the independence of each kindergarten. The main building houses four classrooms, a central kitchen, service areas, and a circular layout formed around two light-filled atriums. These atriums act as both organizational anchors and dynamic communal spaces, encouraging interaction while subtly defining boundaries between distinct educational zones.

Adjacent structures—including gazebos, bike storage, and tool pavilions—support outdoor learning and communal activity. A sheltering curved form of the building separates the parking lot from a richly landscaped play garden, creating a safe, stimulating outdoor environment.

Materiality and Interior Strategy

The design reflects each kindergarten’s identity through materiality and color. In the Waldorf section, natural materials dominate—wooden floors, walls, furniture, and even toys enhance sensory engagement and reflect pedagogical values. In contrast, the Treperka section embraces playful vibrancy, using bold color-blocked service volumes based on Ostwald’s chromatic circle, referencing the colors of the rainbow to define spatial zones.

Custom-built storage and furniture prioritize child safety and ergonomics, integrating seamlessly into the spatial design without protrusions or sharp corners. Every classroom and sanitary space opens onto a continuous terrace shaded by a generous roof overhang, forming a fluid transition to the garden.

Landscape and Wayfinding

The expansive outdoor garden—shared between the two kindergartens despite their different pedagogical approaches—is subtly divided by a circular earthen mound crafted from the site’s excavation soil. This landscape intervention fosters both imaginative play and natural topography integration.

The wayfinding system, creatively designed by students of UMPRUM (Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague), uses graphic motifs derived from children's drawings, blending function with playfulness and identity.

Sustainable Construction and Passive Design

Constructed on strip footings with a reinforced concrete base slab, the kindergarten meets passive house standards for energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Its load-bearing structure features monolithic concrete columns and walls complemented by perimeter steel supports.

Sustainability is embedded in its technical systems:

• Air-to-water heat pump (75%) supplemented by gas-condensing boiler (25%)
• Controlled ventilation with dual central air handling units and heat recovery
• TABS system (Thermally Activated Building System) for radiant ceiling-based heating and cooling
• Solar tubes and skylights enhance natural daylighting
• HPL cladding and roller blinds mitigate heat gain and ensure envelope performance

Kindergartens Treperka and Waldorf Semily by MTa is a forward-thinking educational architecture project that not only accommodates distinct learning systems but also achieves energy-efficient, nature-integrated, and emotionally engaging spaces for early childhood development. The building sets a new benchmark for combining pedagogical diversity with environmental responsibility and architectural clarity.

All Photographs are works of BoysPlayNice