The Catholic Hippolytusgarten family centre in Troisdorf houses a daycare facility serving up to 60 children aged 0–6 simultaneously. This 750 m² structure, designed and executed by Stuttgart-based Atelier Brückner, hugs the southern boundary of the site while opening northward toward a protected green space. "The building plot presented a real challenge – particularly for a daycare," explains Jannis Renner, lead project architect at Atelier Brückner. A busy federal highway and railway track run directly adjacent to the property. "From the outset, we were committed to creating a safe, protected environment for the children," he notes, pointing to the southern façade—a carefully articulated barrier providing both acoustic and visual insulation. A timber slatted façade wraps the building, establishing privacy and a sense of security. Inside, wooden cladding continues this aesthetic language seamlessly, dissolving the boundary between exterior and interior spaces.

The interior strikes a balance between light and openness. Warm beech wood and abundant daylight—streaming through generous glass doors, windows, and clerestory bands—define the spatial character. Colour and material choices remain deliberately understated. The daycare operates on a semi-open pedagogical model, reflected in the architectural flexibility of the spaces: children belong to assigned groups but enjoy freedom to choose where, with whom, and how they spend their time. Group rooms transform into themed activity zones. Open changing areas positioned opposite serve as buffers, while smaller, more intimate ancillary spaces complete the program.

A central circulation spine threads through this single-storey, angled building, linking group rooms and shared spaces. At its heart lies an open "marketplace"—a communal gathering space housing breakfast and play areas. Critically, every common area faces toward the park. Beyond the building, children have access to over 6,500 m² of outdoor play space: a paved courtyard, open meadow, dedicated playground, and expansive naturalized adventure zone. The Hippolytusgarten family centre anchors a new campus that includes the adjacent St. Hippolytus church and the Hippolytushaus community centre—both also designed by Atelier Brückner.

www.atelier-brueckner.com

Photography Credits:

Daniel Stauch
www.danielstauch.com

(Published in CUBE Cologne Bonn 02|20)