What should a well-designed kindergarten be characterized by? How can it appeal to its unique surroundings? These questions are attempted to be answered by the design of a passive kind ergarten in Podkowa Leśna, which was carried out by the Bjerg Arkitektur studio.
The Warsaw office of international studio Bjerg Arkitektur designed a kindergarten combined with a nursery room. What first catches the eye is the openwork facade combined with wood and a courtyard where a tree has been planted. This tree is expected to create an optimal place to sit and relax over time.
Passive kindergarten in Podkowa Leśna
photo by Adam Marciniak, © Bjerg Arkitektur Polska
Mateusz Ploszaj-Mazurek of the Polish branch of the Bjerg Arkitektur studio talks about how the building was created, its functionality and how the project was influenced by its surroundings.
Wiktor Bochenek: Where did the idea for the building's openwork facade come from?
Mateusz Ploszaj-Mazurek (Bjerg Arkitektur Poland): The façade of the building was intended to relate to its surroundings - that is, to the background of trees growing all around Podkowa Leśna. In this way, the building was to blend in with its surroundings.
Wiktor: How were modular solutions used here?
Matthew: Looking at this building, it is difficult to find a division into the modules from which it was built. The building was constructed using prefabricated steel technology, which allowed for very fast implementation - in less than twelve months. The choice of technology is also responsible for the high quality of construction and high airtightness. This also translates into lower energy requirements.
The building was erected in less than twelve months
Photo by Adam Marciniak, © Bjerg Arkitektur Polska
Wiktor: What is the passivity of this building based on?
Mateusz: The building was designed according to the principles of passive building design. The design included a compact, well-insulated body, overhangs above the windows - passively reducing heat gains in the forest, large windows on the south side to reheat the building in winter, and the use of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. The building is currently undergoing certification by the Passive House Institute.
Wiktor: How does the building refer to its surroundings in Podkowa Leśna? Does it stand out more or blend in?
Mateusz: The building refers to the natural landscape of Podkowa Leśna's garden city - that is, a space with lots of green parkland. On the one hand, the facade of the building is characterized by repetition and a certain rhythm. The architects decided to use a shading structure to create a unique expression of the facade.
This achieved the openwork character of the building, melding the architecture with the natural surroundings, while regulating the sunlight and protecting the building from overheating in summer. The dimensions of the shading elements were chosen so as to cut off access to the sun's rays in summer and allow sunlight to enter the building in winter.
The facade gives the building an openwork character
Photo: Adam Marciniak, © Bjerg Arkitektur Polska
Wiktor: How was the vegetation around and in the building solved. Where did the idea for a courtyard with a tree come from?
Matthew: The functional layout was shaped so that all the children's rooms faced south, and the corridors formed a ring around the courtyard with numerous glazing and windows for seating. The spatial and symbolic center of the kindergarten is a tree growing in the center of the atrium. It was planted by the local community during the opening of the kindergarten - in this way the residents of Podkowa Leśna will participate in the process of building a new, important facility in the city.
A tree was planted in the middle of the atrium
photo by Adam Marciniak, © Bjerg Arkitektur Polska
Wiktor: What was the most difficult part, and what are you most proud of?
Mateusz: It was important for us to create an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly building that fits into the local context. We are happy that the building was received positively and has been functioning perfectly as a kindergarten for almost a year now!
Wiktor: Thank you for the interview.
Passive kindergarten in Podkowa Leśna
Photo: Adam Marciniak, © Bjerg Arkitektur Polska
