The most modern kindergarten in Bydgoszcz has just welcomed its first charges. The youngest will offer construction workshops, a gymnasium and even greenhouses and vegetable gardens. The "Kindergarten Hut" project was created by the XYstudio studio, which set itself the goal of creating a safe space to help children discover the secrets of the world. How did they succeed in this task?
The first years of life are crucial for the future development of young people. The environment they are in shapes their personality, determines the acquisition of new skills and influences the way they interact with the world. Children spend the lion's share of their time in kindergartens - which is why it is so important to provide them with the right conditions in these facilities, which should offer a safe space for playing, learning and establishing relationships. All these assumptions are realized in an exemplary way by the new kindergarten in Bydgoszcz, built in the Bydgoszcz Industrial and Technological Park according to the design of the Warsaw studio XYStudio.
New kindergarten in Bydgoszcz "Przedszkolna Chatka 2".
Photo: Filip Domaszczyński © XYStudio
kindergarten in an industrial neighborhood
The new kindergarten was built in the Bydgoszcz Industrial and Technological Park, wherethe"ZACHEM" Chemical Plant operated until 2005. Since then, the new industrial "heart" of Bydgoszcz, located near the southern border of the city, has found its place for almost 200 businesses, which employ a total of more than 5,000 people. Initially, the space was not suitable for such intensive business development, lacking the necessary infrastructure. When BPPT was established in 2005, most of today's roads, safe sidewalks or bicycle paths were not here. As the years passed, efficient public transportation was also taken care of. The latter is essential due to the rather long distance separating the industrial park from the city center. A considerable distance is a challenge, especially for parents who, in addition to commuting , have to take care of managing their children's time. To meet their needs, the management of the Bydgoszcz Industrial and Technological Park has commissioned the construction of a new kindergarten at Glinki Street, designed for 150 children. It was for them that the "Kindergarten Hut 2" was erected, which began its activities in September.
New kindergarten in Bydgoszcz "Przedszkolna Chatka 2".
Photo: Filip Domaszczyński © XYStudio
New kindergarten in Bydgoszcz
"Przedszkolna Chatka" has grown up surrounded by a pine forest on the edge of the Bydgoszcz Industrial and Technological Park, along a road used by transportation and by which a significant number of employees get to their place of employment. The green surroundings create a friendly space that does not herald the intensive industrial development of the deeper parts of the complex. A one-story, partially basement building of more than 1,600 square meters was built on a small plot of land, surrounded by trees on two sides. The leitmotif of the concrete facade is large windows in the shape of houses. As the years go by, part of the walls will also be greened thanks to plants climbing on metal cables.
The new kindergarten in Bydgoszcz "Przedszkolna Chatka 2".
Photo: Filip Domaszczyński © XYStudio
Architecture for the youngest users should be interesting, intriguing, hide little secrets, but above all, also give a sense of security. Hence the idea for window-houses, which gave character to this simple block, and through their proportions made the building seem lower than it really is. In our climate, in winter mornings and evenings the graphite blocks will drown in darkness, only the small houses, from which warm light beams, will be visible.
- explains Dorota Sibinska, one of the authors of the project.
The building consists of three blocks connected by a wide connector, which, in addition to its communicative function, is also a place for fun and rest. The central part of the connector is a spacious, glazed hall. Children are welcomed here by swings in the shape of clouds, book houses or play installations in the form of wall-mounted construction workshops with pinwheels, shelves and wooden bars. Further away are spacious locker rooms, and behind them are the preschool classrooms.
The new kindergarten in Bydgoszcz "Przedszkolna Chatka 2"
Photo: Filip Domaszczyński © XYStudio
to choose from to color
The interiors of "Przedszkolna Chatka" have been entirely adapted to the needs of the youngest. The concept created from the beginning with children in mind takes into account their physical conditions - windowsills, door handles and sinks are lowered here. Each of the kindergarten rooms has been divided into three zones. There are areas with tables for reading, talking and doing artwork together, a play area and a quiet corner, which is separated from the rest of the room by a gentle elevation above floor level. However, there is more space for spending time alone here - there are curtained hammocks and small houses where children can hide and read, organize games or just relax. Mild colors create a friendly atmosphere, painted ants climb some of the walls, and there are glass doors leading into the rooms, designed to inspire a sense of security in the children.
New kindergarten in Bydgoszcz "Przedszkolna Chatka 2".
Photo: Filip Domaszczyński © XYStudio
"Przedszkolna Chatka" as the only didactic facility in Bydgoszcz intended for the youngest has its own gymnasium - the physical activity zone is equipped with ladders, geometric spatial forms for playing or a mini climbing wall. On the walls of the room, in turn, there are mirrors that will help during the activities organized in the kindergarten, including dance, gymnastics and Zumba. Sports competitions for the little ones are also to be held here.
New kindergarten in Bydgoszcz "Przedszkolna Chatka 2".
Photo: Filip Domaszczyński © XYStudio
development in harmony with nature
Bydgoszcz's most modern kindergarten also means outdoor activities. The plot of land around the "Kindergarten Hut" was used one hundred percent. When designing the building, the XYStudio team decided to diversify the relief of the land. So there are flat spaces, where playgrounds are planned, but also numerous hills, including the "hill of the youngster", the peaks of which will be conquered by the youngest. A successful climb can end with admiring the view of the playgrounds and the surrounding forest or...an exciting slide down the slide. However, the hills are not the highest spaces available for children, as an observation deck has been placed on the roof. In addition to climbing the peaks and observing the natural surroundings, the youngest will also engage in gardening - each group will have its own pot, and more demanding crops will be grown in the nursery greenhouse. All necessary instruments will be located in one of the two tool houses. The green square will also include an outdoor stage.
New kindergarten in Bydgoszcz "Przedszkolna Chatka 2".
Photo: Filip Domaszczyński © XYStudio
Contact with nature is not only games, performances and activities while growing plants. It is also an opportunity to engage the senses of sight, hearing, smell, smell or touch. Children will be helped by a specially prepared sensory path hidden among perennials, shrubs and trees. The latter have been planted on the territory of the kindergarten with almost 200, and it has also been possible to preserve some of the original stand of trees, which will provide shade during outdoor play.
