Before the Baumkirchen Mitte campus's residential buildings were even complete, this children's centre—designed by architects SRW Plan—was already standing. Finished in early summer 2017 after ten months of construction, the project came in at approximately 4.5 million euros. In many ways, it's the quintessential modern nursery: vibrant, colourful, and decidedly organic. Rather than rigid angles, the building features flowing curves that echo the architectural language of the entire neighbourhood. The rounded shell structure proved technically demanding. Positioned on the former Munich 4 railway depot site, the centre nestles within one of the curved arms created by the "residential snake" of Meyer and Karlhuber's neighbouring complex (see p. 28). Across two storeys and 1,106 m², the centre accommodates one nursery group, two kindergarten groups, and one after-school care group. Like its surroundings, the children's centre showcases undulating forms and meandering geometry that, paired with its distinctive colour palette, create an unmistakable presence. Shutters and banding in varied yellows and greens create a dynamic dialogue with the surrounding buildings. These vibrant shutters are actually lockable panels serving dual purposes: daytime sun control and nighttime ventilation when windows remain open. The interior employs natural materials and soft, light tones. A verdant flat roof, crowned with solar panels, crowns the structure. The U-shaped building opens southward to a private play area featuring slides, sandboxes, and other equipment. Here too sits the Maypole Snake—a sinuous white-and-blue sculpture by artists Susanne Wagner and Tim Bennett that winds across the ground and rises skyward.

The children's centre slots seamlessly into one of the curves formed by the "residential snake" of Meyer and Karlhuber. Facing the street frontage, the building maintains a more restrained character, with windows arranged in an irregular pattern. The southern elevation—facing the former railway grounds—tells a different story, opening with expansive, near-floor-to-ceiling window bands. Landscape architects Mahl Gebhard Konzepte transformed the reclaimed railway repair works into an ecological priority zone, earning them the 2021 Bavarian Landscape Architecture Prize. What sets this solidly constructed children's centre apart is its striking geometry and thoughtfully child-scaled, colour-rich exterior design.

www.srwplan.de

Photography Credits:

Thomas Kremer
www.thomaskremer.com

(Published in CUBE Munich 03|21)