Where Play Meets Home
A two-level kindergarten with flat roof serving as a plinth for residential units in the upper stories
This project illustrates how diverse programmatic functions can coexist within a unified architectural composition—pairing an outward-facing public program with more introspective residential spaces. A two-story kindergarten with a flat roof anchors the composition, supporting a setback residential block above. The upper structure houses five fully accessible and wheelchair-adaptable residential units, each featuring generous outdoor terraces, roof gardens, and loggias oriented toward southern or western exposures.
The restrained façade vocabulary—with a limited palette of window proportions—establishes a calm, harmonious presence. Floor-to-ceiling glazing appears wherever functionally possible, punctuated by darker frames that create subtle visual emphasis. The base distinctly separates from the pitched-roof residential volume through its material palette and color treatment. The stepped plinth design creates sheltered, shaded outdoor zones for the children at garden level. A staircase bridges the upper entrance terrace, with its generous balconies, to the garden below. A heat pump, paired with solar panels spanning the entire south-facing roof, provides both thermal and electrical power to the ensemble. Plan 7 Architects orchestrated the design with outdoor space as a partner, crafting bright group rooms and a soaring central hall as the heart of the facility. Upon entry, visitors encounter this luminous double-height hall while simultaneously glimpsing the verdant play areas beyond.
Spanning approximately 550 m², the kindergarten program comprises the central hall, four group rooms, a multipurpose space, and a dining area. The multipurpose room invites active play, exploration, and movement—transforming into a unified grand space when opened toward the main hall for celebrations. Equally thoughtful are the quiet zones designed throughout for moments of calm.
Photography Credits:
Dietmar Strauss
www.dietmar-strauss.de
(Published in CUBE Stuttgart 04|23)
