In Giessen, a four-group nursery with integrated family centre took shape – one where inclusion starts with architectural form. Here, design doesn't just support the educational mission; it embodies it. The city of Giessen sought something distinctly different from the Frankfurt-based practice dirschl.federle_architekten: not a conventional daycare building, but a space that welcomes, engages, and inspires parents, children, and educators alike. The architects responded with a circular structure organized around a central open courtyard. All programmatic areas – group rooms, multipurpose spaces, parent meeting zones – radiate outward from this hub in a non-hierarchical arrangement, while a continuous corridor binds them together. The clear, ring-like geometry fosters both visual clarity and intuitive wayfinding. More importantly, it naturally nurtures interaction and dialogue among children, families, and staff.

The courtyard pulses as the building's heart. Beyond its role as playground and gathering space, it functions as a genuine social arena – adaptive, dynamic, and genuinely inviting. Summer festivals, flea markets, and holiday celebrations unfold here, alongside quiet conversations in the shade. Three oversized umbrellas provide weather protection while creating an open-air refuge that encourages lingering. Each functional zone also claims its own dedicated garden space. Unlike the central courtyard's generosity, these satellite gardens are precisely calibrated – designated as play zones, quiet retreats, or activity areas. They offer refuge, enable movement, and give each program its own green expression. Interior-exterior transitions flow seamlessly through covered terraces and expansive glazing. Structurally, the design embraces both flexibility and longevity. A reinforced concrete frame supports the building, while wood and dry-wall systems handle the façades and interiors – enabling future adaptations as needs evolve. The outer envelope – a sophisticated layering of full-glass, semi-transparent, and opaque panels – responds directly to the varied functions behind it, where introverted and open spaces establish a natural rhythm.

Natural light anchors the design of this energy-conscious building. Full-height glazing maximizes daylight penetration from both gardens and courtyard. Perforated metal screens double as fixed solar shading in sleeping areas, while skylights flood the interior bathrooms with daylight. The dining and multipurpose hall breaks the architectural pattern with its dramatically pitched roof and clerestory – a gesture that announces its significance both spatially and experientially.

www.dirschl-federle.de

Photography:

Jörg Hempel
www.joerg-hempel.com

(Featured in CUBE Frankfurt 03|25)