Tranquility within the city

This kindergarten is located near Saint-Mauront and can accommodate approximately 100 children for learning and playing, and 15 teachers and staff to work here. The building is 1348 square meters. And the outdoor activity area is 710 square meters, surrounded by residential areas. The main entrance faces north and another entrance faces south, which is mainly used for teachers´ office access. Parking spaces are available on the south side of the building. This building has only one floor, which contributes the connection to the outdoors and gives all rooms direct access to the outdoor playgrounds. This promotes children's awareness and respect for their environment and creates learning opportunities through recreation.

The building has an impressive concrete façade which follows the curves of the building in the direction of the city street, where rough concrete is joined with glass, contrasting toughness with lightness and fragility. Bright spaces made up of windows create opportunities for children to observe the changing cycles of nature. Shaded by irregular slats of Light Transmitting Concrete, the windows serve multiple functions: transmitting light, protecting from the sun, while giving the children a sense of privacy and security - they act like the eyes of the building in front. Such elements make the façade active and unique. At night, the interior lights are switched on and the children can be seen outdoors moving around the space, allowing the city and the building to better intermingle with human activity.

It is introverted and closed and impresses with its original form. The skylight that rises upwards on the east side of the building follows the height of the terrain. This space to the sky also symbolises agility and freedom - from the outside it expresses a glimpse of the sky, from the inside it becomes an amusement park for children, a viewing platform and a staircase to the sky.

The building is impressive for the differences between its exterior and interior, but also for the unity of its concept. The wild exterior contrasts with the warm interior spaces, which are full of colourful details, small furniture and children's paintings on the walls. The old architectural style is combined with a new urban green concept and the design of the outside garden complements the building.

Q&A

Q: What was the concept behind the project?

A: Our design wants to give a new relationship between the building and the city, to integrate the architectural fabric with the city. The grey and rough concrete evokes memories of urban brutalism and diversifies the urban scene. To provide children with a living and learning environment that is both fun and historically reminiscent.

Q: what was the intent behind the organization of elements across various levels(architectural, Site, Urban)?

A: At every aspect to make architecture more connected to people's lives and more integrated with the city. We want to offer a different approach to architecture.

Q: How many iterations were tried to arrive at the final outcome?

A: We tried more than ten alternatives and finally chose the one that integrated better with the city.

Q: Which methods of design investigation?how was the programme condensed into final?

A: We have used a design approach of elevated ground floor, splitting the volumes and orienting the building to fit the urban fabric, choosing rough and delicate materials to create a contrasting effect, and leaving plenty of space for children's activities outdoors, allowing the city and nature to co-exist. In the time to come, we hope to have more installations and designs in the outdoor garden, allowing art to accompany the children in their childhood.

Q: How was a specific objective attempted to be met?

A: We chose large pieces of glass set into the concrete façade and the interior of the building has wooden walls and floors, making the whole space soft and comfortable.

Q: How was a specific objective attempted to be met?

A: We wanted the interior to have a place for children to play and not be too ordinary, so the side of the building was raised to fit the topography and allow for trampolines and climbing recreation facilities. Inside the building there are smooth walking paths that allow children to walk freely around the space. The building has three entrances to the garden green, linking the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Q: What is the expansion plan of the project?

A: We hope that in time there will be removable temporary installations built into the garden green, with more children's facilities and more interaction with the children. In order to promote an environmentally sustainable concept, all the facilities will be created in a recycled way and can also be designed by the children, who can participate in the process.In the future, we hope that the concrete building will be used in conjunction with the garden, with different views throughout the year, different events on the green depending on the season, art displays, parties for adults and children, installations, displays on the history of brutalism.