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Kindergarten, Felixdorf

Kindergarten canopy

FELIXDORF (AT) - Felixdorf is a relatively young village in Lower Austria, some 50 km south of Vienna. Recently, an increasing demand for nurseries in the town asked for a creative solution. The municipality of Felixdorf commissioned Wöhrer architects, who designed a 630 m² kindergarten which can be, if needed, easily extended by an identical unit.

Although the building as such is a single functional unit, the architect reached a high level of variability and compactness. The differing roof heights, materials and surfaces create a lively look, with a differently articulated front- and backside. The street-facing entrance has a friendly, wood-clad facade, while the back of the building has a completely different atmosphere. On this side, three large canopies protect the playing rooms from direct sunlight and create a sheltered, pleasant zone to hang out or play, both inside and outside. The generous terraces underneath follow the contours of the cantilevers, and are clad with wood, a material that continues indoors.

Inside the rooms, the birch wood creates a bright interior, which enhances the feeling of security. The rooms are divided into play and rest areas, all facing the garden side through large, full-height windows. Architect Gerald Wöhrer paid special attention to the energy concept of the building. The heating of the nursery is partly achieved with a boiler, which runs on renewable sources. Radiant floor heating distributes warmth evenly and the cantilevers, triple-layer glass panes and a 'comfort'-ventilation system ensure an optimal indoor climate.

In September 2011, the building was officially brought into use, starting with two kindergarten groups who can now enjoy the many benefits of their new home.