Kindergarten in Bežžanijska kosa

site area: 6138 m2
gross floor area: 1886 m2
capacity: 252 children; 2 preschool units; 6 kindergarten units; 6 nursery units
In reaction to formal and typological heterogeneity of buildings in the surrounding area, we have chosen a neutral and compact volume, which is then carefully decomposed in order to emphasize important functional segments of the building. Functional layout is organized around the fully transparent atrium, which gathers all circulations and public areas, while also serving as a buffer between different levels of interior and exterior spaces. On the ground level, multi-purpose hall is oriented towards the atrium creating an integral semi-open space for children s play.

The North wall of the kitchen and laundry is hidden with the hill which is connecting the main playground with the atrium and children’s rooms on the first floor. In this way we have accomplished a continuous flow between the interior and exterior. Also, technical facilities which are facing the main playground have been successfully hidden, and have assumed the best place in relation to overall functional layout of the building. The hill is suitable for children’s activities throughout the year and it can serve as a summer classroom with its soft tartan surface and seating steps or the sledging hill during the wintertime. Overall, we have accomplished a diversity of ambiences for kids.

One of the main requests of our client was to apply an energy efficient design. All children’s rooms are oriented toward south-east and south-west so they can use natural light as much as possible. Low energy artificial lighting system is used, triple layered glass, thick thermal insulation, solar panels and geothermal heat pump system for heating and cooling. Our kindergarten has become a pioneer of “green design” for public buildings in Serbia and a role model for future projects.