Kita Kinzenbach
FITTING INTO THE GRAIN OF THE PLACE. How does one fit properly into the urban grain of Kinzenbach, with a built mass that at first appears larger than even the public facilities themselves, such as the multipurpose hall or the Villa Lichtblick to the west? So as not to break the urban framework, the project breaks this mass into four distinct volumes, composing a harmonious image with its surroundings. The roof forms take up the surrounding gabled roofs while setting themselves apart through asymmetric gables, together forming a clearly legible ensemble. The volumes follow the gentle topography of the slope and step down towards the south.
THE PLAY CORRIDOR AS UNIFYING ELEMENT. Typologically, the group rooms are arranged along a play corridor that becomes the connecting element. Generous openings create visual links between the group rooms and the outdoor areas, making the corridor itself an attractive place to dwell. As a rule, two groups and a sanitary unit share one house, with the change in level taken up inside by gentle ramps. The intervening outdoor spaces terrace into free-play areas, assigned to each group yet linked together and oriented — not least for acoustic reasons — towards the green space of the multipurpose hall.
A PREFABRICATED TIMBER STRUCTURE. The construction relies on a sustainable timber method. The largely identical volumes have a high degree of prefabrication and can be built economically. The façade, in laminated veneer lumber panels, forms a homogeneous envelope into which precise, large openings are cut, bringing a friendly quality of light to the interior. Wood also shapes the interior: white-glazed maritime pine panels, robust, create a cosy atmosphere and — varied in different tints across the play zones — provide the common denominator.
GREEN COURTYARDS, SPACES TO RETREAT. A slight change in level between the existing ground and the groups' outdoor play areas creates a clear yet not overly strict boundary and spatial definition. The green courtyards between the houses form, on the one hand, a clearly framed entrance situation and, on the other, retreat and quiet zones for the children, offering differentiated sensory impressions. The play meadow to the north-east, equipped for free play, further enriches the variety on offer.
A SIMPLE, EFFICIENT ENERGY CONCEPT. The quality of the building envelope and the energy-efficient orientation of the volumes make additional technical installations unnecessary. The east–west orientation avoids excessive solar gains in summer while capturing the low winter sun; the south-facing group rooms are naturally shaded by the courtyard configuration. Solar collectors and photovoltaic panels are provided on the south-facing roof pitches, complemented — where possible — by a connection to the district heating network. All rooms are ventilated through the windows, and timber construction stands at the heart of the project as a sustainable, environmentally friendly material.
In collaboration with Ludwig Zitzelsberger.