2 weeks ago we handed in our first competition entry for a kindergarten in the small town of Imst in West-Austria in collaboration with Helga-Flotzinger-Architekten. Check it out!
The new kindergarten Imst is located at a small plateau surrounded by former barracks, which now are used by different social functions. The new kindergarten is placed in the middle of the yard, respecting the existing structure, and emerging as a pavilion on the site. The round compact shape creates a qualitative and democratic outdoor space, that provides all the different users at the site a place to meet.
Under the green roof, the interior is divided by north-south-oriented wooden boxes, containing all minor functions. This enables open flexible spaces with different characters, oriented around the centre of the kindergarten and creates an open, friendly environment.
A central, bright foyer with an open dining area connects both wings of the day nursery in the north and the kindergarten in the south. The courtyard provides a sheltered outdoor play area that can be used as a lunch table as well. The common areas, such as lunch room and rooms for special activities, are located around the inner courtyard and so present the kindergarten to the outside. All classrooms are orientated towards the south with direct access to the outside.
The project is a collaboration with Helga Flotzinger Architekten.