Kindergarten Lagundo Extension by feld72: Sustainable Early Childhood Architecture in South Tyrol

The Kindergarten Lagundo Extension, designed by the Austrian architectural studio feld72, represents an innovative approach to sustainable educational architecture in the alpine region of Algund. Located above the historic city of Merano, the project expands an existing kindergarten originally designed in 1976 by Willy Gutweniger.

Completed in 2022, the extension reflects contemporary principles of ecological construction, spatial flexibility, and collaborative learning environments while maintaining a respectful dialogue with the existing building. With a total built area of approximately 1,269 square meters, the project merges sustainable materials, pedagogical spatial strategies, and architectural sensitivity to create a nurturing environment for early childhood education.Sustainable kindergarten extension in South Tyrol using glue-free timber construction, green roofs, and open learning spaces encouraging collaboration and environmental awareness.

Architectural Concept: Dialogue Between Old and New

One of the defining design strategies of the Kindergarten Lagundo extension is the architectural dialogue established between the existing structure and the newly constructed volumes. The architects developed two complementary building forms that reinterpret the language of the original building.

The extension includes:

A two-story gable-roofed structure, echoing traditional alpine architecture and reflecting the pitched roofs commonly found in the surrounding village landscape.

A two-story flat-roofed volume, referencing the modernist elements of the original kindergarten building.

This combination allows the project to create a harmonious visual relationship between historic architecture and contemporary design. Instead of replicating the existing structure, the architects created a subtle architectural conversation that strengthens the identity of the entire educational complex.

Positioned on the northeastern part of the site, the extension connects seamlessly with the earlier structure, expanding the kindergarten’s capacity while maintaining the spatial coherence of the property.

Sustainable Architecture and Ecological Construction

Sustainability played a central role in the design and construction of the Kindergarten Lagundo extension. From the earliest planning stages, the project focused on implementing holistic ecological construction strategies that would benefit both the environment and the well-being of the children.

The annex was built as a glue-free solid wood structure, a rare and innovative construction approach that prioritizes natural materials and minimizes the use of chemical adhesives. This method ensures healthier indoor environments while also reducing environmental impact.

Key sustainable design features include:

Solid timber structural walls that provide thermal mass and natural climate regulation.

A wooden facade, which integrates the building naturally into the alpine landscape.

Green roofs, enhancing insulation, supporting biodiversity, and improving rainwater management.

Energy-efficient building systems developed in collaboration with the engineering firm Energytech.

The use of natural timber surfaces and textures creates a warm and tactile interior atmosphere, helping children experience a strong connection to natural materials and sensory environments.

Healthy Indoor Climate and Child-Friendly Materials

The choice of solid wood construction significantly influences the interior environment of the kindergarten. Wooden structural walls contribute to a stable indoor climate, regulating humidity and temperature while enhancing acoustic comfort.

The mass and texture of the wood surfaces create a calming atmosphere that supports children's physical comfort, concentration, and emotional well-being. Natural materials also introduce a subtle sensory dimension that aligns with modern pedagogical approaches emphasizing experiential learning environments.

Lighting design by Archiviva and acoustic planning by Archacustica further enhance the spatial quality of the building, ensuring optimal illumination and sound control for young learners.

Open Learning Landscapes and Spatial Flexibility

A key objective of the project was to develop a flexible spatial environment that supports collaborative learning among different groups of children. The kindergarten accommodates both German-speaking and Italian-speaking communities, reflecting the bilingual cultural context of South Tyrol.

Rather than organizing classrooms as isolated spaces, the architects designed an open learning landscape that encourages interaction and shared experiences. Central to this concept are the encounter zones, transitional spaces that connect different classrooms and activity areas.

These encounter zones serve several important functions:

They encourage social interaction and collaboration among children.

They create informal learning environments where spontaneous activities can occur.

They allow educators to implement flexible pedagogical approaches.

They strengthen the sense of community within the kindergarten.

By integrating architecture and pedagogy, the building supports a learning environment where spatial design becomes an active educational tool.

Architectural Integration with the Alpine Landscape

Situated within the picturesque landscape of South Tyrol, the Kindergarten Lagundo extension carefully integrates with its natural surroundings. The building’s modest scale, pitched roofs, and natural materials ensure that it complements the traditional alpine village context.

The use of timber and green roofs allows the architecture to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment while maintaining a contemporary identity. Large windows frame views of the landscape and allow generous daylight to enter interior spaces, reinforcing a connection between children and nature.

This relationship between architecture, landscape, and education reflects broader trends in sustainable school design that emphasize environmental awareness and outdoor engagement.

Structural and Technical Collaboration

The successful realization of the project was made possible through collaboration with several specialized engineering teams.

Structural engineering was provided by Pfeifer Partners, ensuring that the innovative timber construction system met both safety and sustainability standards.

Additional technical expertise included:

Building physics engineering by Energytech

Lighting design by Archiviva

Acoustic engineering by Archacustica

Together, these contributions helped create a building that balances technical performance, sustainability, and spatial quality.

Contemporary Educational Architecture in South Tyrol

The Kindergarten Lagundo extension reflects a broader shift in contemporary educational architecture toward environmentally responsible, flexible, and child-centered learning environments.

Instead of focusing solely on functional classroom spaces, the project emphasizes interaction, sensory experience, and community engagement. Through its careful use of natural materials, ecological construction methods, and open spatial design, the building demonstrates how architecture can actively support early childhood development.

By combining sustainable design strategies with thoughtful pedagogical planning, feld72 has created a forward-thinking educational facility that responds to both environmental and social needs.

The Kindergarten Lagundo extension by feld72 stands as a compelling example of sustainable kindergarten architecture in Europe. Through its innovative glue-free timber construction, green roofs, and open learning environments, the project successfully merges ecological design with progressive educational concepts.

Its careful integration with the existing 1976 building and the surrounding alpine landscape highlights the importance of contextual architecture, while its spatial flexibility encourages collaboration and social interaction among children.

Ultimately, the project demonstrates how architecture can shape meaningful learning environments, fostering creativity, inclusivity, and environmental awareness from an early age.

All photographs are works of  David Schreyer