Kindergarten of the future

FAST VUT - Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Department of Architecture

Project idea

The main idea was to design a kindergarten of the future in Brno using promising technologies and futuristic design. The building is raised above the ground to maintain one level operational and connected to the street. The aerodynamical shape of the kindergarten evokes spaceship.

Project description

Kindergarten building is located on the edge of the Masaryk quarter in Brno near to the Peace square. Location is situated at plot owned by nearby elementary school and gymnasium, on the edge of school sport areal. The site is accessible by the Havlíčkova street, from where the main entrance is situated. The plot has rectangular shape and is declining towards the school. Most of the plot is a flat platform situated approximately 4 m below the street level and approx. 3 m above the school level with steep slopes on both sides.

The mass positioning against the street reflects imaginary frontage line of surrounding houses. The open space formed between the building and the street is including 4 parking slots and scatter area in front of the kindergarten. It is possible to connect the sport area on the level of the platform.

The main idea of the design was to create kindergarten, that operates on one height level - the level of Havlíčkova street. The mass of the building is elevated above the ground using the columns. The design frees up the space under the building, that can be used as an outdoor children’s play area covered from adverse weather conditions. The space under the building is connected to the operating floor by a pair of external stairways, a climbing frame, and slides. The space below is equipped with drawing wall, climbing wall and other attractions.

The base of the design is U-shaped floor plan. The mass consists of two symmetrical wings, that contain day rooms for children. The wings are connected by the central part, that contains technical facilities, a dining room, and a kitchen. Both classrooms (each in different wing) operate separately with different entrance each and are connected through dining room and terrace. Each classroom is designed for 25 children.

The aerodynamical appearance of the kindergarten evokes a spaceship. Both wings are rounded with panoramic glazed end. The centre of the composition is the dining room in the central part, which is highlighted by increased clearance height. The spaceship appearance is supported by using circular windows. Entrance part is organically shaped to follow the surrounding space by the street. The appearance from the street, a simple symmetric morphology with large round window in the centre also gently refers to surrounding functionalistic morphology. Distinctive exterior stairways and toboggans completes the technicist expression of the design.

Technical information

Load bearing construction of building’s wings is designed as monolithic reinforced concrete tubes, which are raised above the ground by steel columns. The central part is also made of monolithic reinforced concrete. A white smooth plaster coating with touch-friendly glossy modification is used as finishing material. Significant exterior steel stairs are covered by anthracite coloured expanded metal. Large format glazing with anthracite-coloured aluminium frames is also important element of the building’s appearance. The terrace is made of wood with a steal bearing structure.

The interior is designed in "technoorganical" style and futuristic looking. Built-in furniture is made of wood, other furniture and toys are made of recyclable plastic by 3D printing. The building includes 3D print room, where unused or damaged products of 3D print can be crushed to filament, that can be used for creating new products in site. Other interior design features include hanging chandeliers, exposed technologies and visual axes.

Documentation

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