Kindergarten in Les Planes D`Hosteles / ESTUDI2A2 + M. Riera

Architects: ESTUDI2A2 + M. Riera
Location: Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park, Catalonia, Spain
Design Team: Cristina Capel, Ma Teresa Solà
Project Year: 2011
Photographs: Marc Torra

Collaborators : Marta Nogué
Construction Company: TEYCO S.A.
Structure: GMK
Rigger: Dani Castanyer

A house of experiences of pure and simple forms. A cheerful and funny place with lots of light in every corner. A place for learning which takes full advantage of the outdoor spaces.

The project consists of a new building in a newly urbanized area in a residential environment. There are four classrooms for children from 0-2 years. The shape of the place, its orientation and access have conditioned the project from the beginning. There are two different levels which are linked together. The lowest, contains classrooms and services facing the patio through a large window with colored vinyls. The other floor plan, with a slanted deck, guides the access and defines the community areas, such as the common room, kitchen and the teachers` room.

The access is through an internal passage, which separates and organizes the free zone with two patios. The main patio, south oriented, has the necessary space for children to enjoy. The other patio is smaller and has the ideal conditions for summer use.  The rear facade, which borders the local green zone, is slightly lowered so to leverage the morphology and topography of the area.

We propose an eco-efficient building, integrated and environmentally friendly, with material treatment and a particular interest in orientation, space and light.