The kindergarten in Aleksandrów, a small town in central Poland was commissioned by a private client, the project specified a two-story building. The characteristic shed roof mirroring the surrounding industrial area gave it the nickname "crocodile". In contrast to the neglected, greyish buildings around, the architect used an intense yellow color to clad the facade in a scale-like pattern that proved to be a very time and cost-efficient solution. The building is ventilated in an eco-friendly way: with gravity ventilation and a natural airflow between the façades and the Velux roof windows.
Design Challenge
The main challenge was to trim the design and construction process for maximum cost and time efficiency, without compromising aesthetic and functional goals. The final solution was to execute the ground floor in a traditional manner, with materials including concrete and bricks, and to produce the upper floor using CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber).
Polish regulations for public kindergartens require large square rooms, which made finding sufficient daylight a challenge. The architects found a solution by incorporating Velux roof windows. The light from above is soft and bright even on grey days and in the architect's words "is suitable for both left- and right-handed kids."
Program
The rooms on the ground floor have exceptional height, and a lot of windows ensure that the whole space is adequately lit. Velux windows serve as the main source of daylight on the upper floor, under the shed roof, while the façade windows, on a child-friendly level, frame the views of the nearby grove.
A Multifunctional, open space is located next to the entrance and waiting area for parents. This room hosts different groups: becoming a sensory room for the children - during the day and an extension of the waiting area and being rented out to the local community in the evenings.
Interior Design
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| All of the furniture, including little chairs and tables, playhouses, wardrobes, storage units, dividing walls, and blackboards, were designed by Xystudio. The choice of colors was one of the most important design elements both for the furniture and interiors. The architects consulted studies of child psychology to make their choices. |
The entire program is designed to emphasize various activities supporting the well-being and development of children. Room climate was an important factor; the entire building is ventilated in an eco-friendly way: with gravity ventilation and a natural airflow between the façades and the Velux windows on the roof. Air inlets in the façades are heated for a better energy balance and hidden from the outside behind steel meshes.
Project Data
| Product | GGL Integra |
| Year of Completion | 2021 |
| Architect | Xystudio, Warszawa, Poland |
