31 stanze
da esplorare
Il primo compito dell'educazione è quello di mescolare la vita, ma lasciarlo libero di sviluppare maria montessori
01. aims
02. looking for the concept
03. looking for efficiency
04. the quality of the spaces
05. the future
01
aims
A kindergarten is plural, reliable, ideal to learn, play and experience. The design proposed tries to give priority to the relationships that may be established in this frame and adapts spaces to every specific need. 31 stanze da esplorare results from the review of the programme requirements and from identifying relationship spaces and meeting points. All these stanze are different one from another because they are adapted to the scale and light necessities required for the specific activity that is going to be developed there. The puzzle starts with an attempt to assembly 31 estanze! The orientation of some pieces is determining as well as the communication between them and how multifunctional spaces are arranged. The resulting architecture is a sequence of 31different estanze without corridors. Thus, children can not only enjoy a spatial experience in each stanza, but also on their way to them. Heterogeneous spaces resulted in a very expressive upper covering, which is the fifth facade of the building, and becomes the best representation of the programme requirements. Domes and pyramid roofs are basic geometric forms easy to learn for children, helping them to identify architectonic space limits in their first experiences. The winding path of the building enclosure allows nature to come inside, reaching the large multifunctional central space, which brings everything together.
01 aims However, this architectural concept cannot be completed without discussing efficiency issues in terms of assembling and energy consumption. In regard to these matters, the structure has been designed in wood because it is a 'live' material meeting current sustainability criteria. Wood also allows an easy assembly making possible to construct the entire building with standardized wood structural components. Balloon frame constructive system speeds up construction processes and adapts perfectly to the scale of designed areas. To reduce energy consumption to the minimum, architectural volume of each estanza includes ceilings with openings to create natural ventilation (buoyancy driven ventilation). We have planned accessible building installations to ease maintenance tasks. The different orientations of the roof make possible to install solar collectors with the best angle permitting a better performance and integration with architectural design. To summarise, we have tried to create a concept that is an inspiring frame for teaching and promoting both social and spatial relationships, adapted to the natural environment and meeting sustainability and energy consumption demands.
02
looking for the concept
The concept results from observing different aspects such as: social and spatial relationships, environment, energy, and architectural references. We will analyse point by point to understand each aspect globally.
the energy the relationships
the concept the environment
architectural references
THE RELATIONSHIPS After learning more about what is a kindergarten and what are the premises of the Montessori method, we have decided to look for a design strategy based mainly on relationships. In order to achieve our goal, we have taken into consideration all required spaces listed on the programme and including group areas in different size. Our study resulted in 31 different spaces with a surface assigned according to its maximum capacity and function.
02 looking for the concept
The next step was to create a diagram to observe the relationships established between the stanze. Thus, we were able to identify meeting areas for the participants, that is: children, parents and teachers. In each section, we have introduced a meeting point where children could interact and make complementary activities. Outdoor areas have been included in this diagram as another stanza, establishing direct links with classrooms in each section. This approach allowed us to desing 31 stanze, all of them different in terms of illumination, orientation, functionality and relationships.
2_classroom 20 m2 2
9_classroom 22 m2 9
16_classroom 20 m2 16
3_classroom 26 m2 3
10_classroom 26 m2 10
17_classroom 28 m2 17
4_classroom 27 m2 4
11_classroom 31 m2 11
18_classroom 31.5 m2 18
5_bathroom utility room 13 m2 5
12_bathroom utility room 13 m2 12
19_bathroom utility room 13 m2 19
6_meeting point creative activities 32.5 m2 6
13_meeting point rest area 27 m2 13
20_meeting point library 32.5 m2 20
7_multipurpose area children and parents 19 m2 7
14_multipurpose area speech therapy 13 m2 14
zz
z
21_multipurpose area support activities 12 m2 21
parents
15_outdoor classroom 100 m2 22_office+teachers’ room 18.6 m2 15 22
teachers and staff
8_outdoor classroom 100 m2 8
children section 3
children section 2
children section 1
1_outdoor classroom 100 m2 1
29_lobby 32.5 m2 29
23_headteacher’s office 9 m2 23
30_parents’ area 8.9 m2 30
24_adults’ changing room 36 m2 24
31_access 5.7 m2 31
25_laundry 5.7 m2 25 26_machine room 10.2 m2 from the program to the stanze 26 27_kitchen 32.6 m2 27 28_huge multipurpose area 86 m2 canteen, pshycomotor skills,... 28
s2
s3 classroom
s3 class room s3 ba throo m+uti s3 c lity r oo m ust om m eet ing poin t
s2
classroom s3
3 room S
class room s 2
s2
o om
poin t
class
util ity r
ing
area
meet
r outdoo
bath room +
ose ipurp mult
cu s tom
children section 1 children section 2 n sect childrehers/stion 3 aff teac e n par ts
u s3 m
ltip
se a urpo
offic
e+t
rea
r’s eache
room
acher’s head te
classroom s2
office
adult’s changing room
classroom s2
laundry machine+
kitch en
outdoor classroom s1
classroom s1
s1
a
classro o m s1
a a re
sroo m
ose
e s’ ar
clas
rp tipu mu l
y ro om s
1
hug y lobb
access
bat hroo m +u tili t
utility
e
t paren
assroom S2 l c r o o d t u o s1 area e s o urp s1 multip int o p ng eeti m m o cu s t
room
relationships between the stanze
THE ENVIRONMENT The kindergarten is surrounded by a quiet residential neighbourhood. We have decided to locate the kindergarten in a place where it can receive more light, since the shadow of residential towers around the parcel cast on the kindergarten.
02 looking for the concept
As these buildings have an aerial view of the kindergarten, the covering will be the most visible part for them. That is why we have come with the idea of making the covering the fifth facade of the building, translating to this part the functional programme of the 31 stanze in a very expressive manner
5 facades 1
4 2
3
A capital urban element of kindergartens are enclosures because it has to create a safe environment for children yet they have to be visual permeable for a better integration in the neighbourhood.
ENERGY The design concept integrates passive and active measures for energy efficiency such as: good thermal isolation, natural ventilation of all areas, solar collectors with the possibility to include a rainwater harvesting system.
02 looking for the concept
ARCHITECTURAL REFERENCES Scamozzi's factory in Bergamo is one of the main references we took for our kindergarten. We are interested on the way spatial sequences are proposed. We also paid attention on how Sanaa's Stads Theater in Almere solves the question of spatial relationships without including corridors.
THE CONCEPT The final concept of design will be the sum of the programme concept+ the environmental concept+ the energetic concept+ architectural references. 31 Stanze are 02 puzzled trying not to including corridors, and maintaining surfaces and spatial looking for the concept relationships. The architectural experience from each Stanza is complemented by the a spatial sequence: as one goes through the interior of the building the spaces go changing size as well as shape. The uniqueness of each space is emphasized through the shape of the covering. The meeting points are located below the domes because of their circular shape, which promotes the meeting. However, the huge multipurpose area is a non-direccional stanze with central symmetry, that reveals a plural place.
1
4
2
3
6
7
5 11 8 9 10
29
31 23 30
22
25
14 28 13 12
30 21
16
20
19
17
18
15
27
floor plan e:1/400
26 24
1_OUTDOOR CLASSROOM 100M2 2_CLASSROOM 20M2 3_CLASSROOM 26M2 4_CLASSROOM 27M2 5_BATHROOM/UTILITY ROOM 13M2 6_MEETING POINT. CREATIVE ACTIVITIES 32.5M2 7_MULTIPORPOSE AREA. CHILDREN+PARENTS 19M2 8_OUTDOOR CLASSROOM 100M2 9_CLASSROOM 22M2 10_CLASSROOM 26M2 11_CLASSROOM 31M2 12_BATHROOM/UTILITY ROOM 13M2 13_MEETING POINT. REST AREA 27M2 14_MULTIPORPOSE AREA. SPEECH THERAPY 13M2 15_OUTDOOR CLASSROOM 100M2 16_CLASSROOM 20M2 17_CLASSROOM 28M2 18_CLASSROOM 31.5M2 19_BATHROOM/UTILITY ROOM 13M2 20_MEETING POINT. LIBRARY 32.5M2 21_MULTIPORPOSE AREA. SUPPORT ACTIVITIES 12M2 22_OFFICE+TEACHERS’ ROOM 18.6M2 23_HEADTEACHER’S OFFICE 9M2 24_ADULTS’ CHANGING ROOM 36M2 25_LAUNDRY 5.7M2 26_MACHINE ROOM 10M2 27_KITCHEN 32.6M2 28_HUGE MULTIPURPOSE AREA 86M2 29_LOBBY 32.5M2 30_PARENTS’ AREA 8.9M2 31_ACCESS 5.7M2
02 looking for the concept
bird´s eye view
03
looking for efficiency
STRUCTURE AND ASSEMBLY The construction system is based on a wood structure called ballom frame. A modular construction, all components have standardized dimensions: a 60x60cm grid of wood pillars, the walls and partitions are sometimes 240cm high (the longest dimension of a standardized wood panel). Also the concrete slab has a 60x60 lost formwork. This modular system allows us to have a single type of window in three different dimensions (60, 120 and 180cm), a single type of door (90, 150 and 210cm) and two types of sliding doors (210 y 460cm). Wood panels from partitions can be easily replaced due to their standardisation. The huge central area has four concrete walls for rigidity purposes thus providing a solid, stable structure for the building. The construction of the roof is also modular. The horizontal thrusts of wood trusses from a stanza counteract the horinzontal thrusts from the next door stanza. However, the surrounding locals have braces to absorb these horizontal strains.
03 looking for efficiency
structural model
The back-ventilated wall lining system is made up of a rock wool and waterproofing panel protected by a wood slats layer. Construction materials and the wall cavity allows the building to breath. 03 The roof is made up of extruded polystyrene/wood sandwich panels and a looking for efficiency zinc cover with standing seams. The central area of the building (huge multipurpose area), has a different kind of roof: a wood and glass cover. In order to control direct sunlight radiation, it has wooden slats fixed on the roof structure. Here, a lot of windows can be opened and the natural air convection will help the aireation of the entire building.
Technical detail roof and facade
THE BUILDING’S INSTALLATIONS SYSTEM kindergardens require the best indoor air quality that’s why the air changes per hour (depends on the air flow efficiency of the enclosure and the methods used to ventilate it ) are very important cuestion for the design of the buiding. Each stanza has an air conditioning unit at the top of the ceiling, in the ridge. This unit takes the fresh air from the outside and draws through the room. They work with a water system helped by a solar collector with a water tank that contributes to saving energy. Additionally, weather permitting, this system can work only with air convection, opening two opposite roof windows. They create an airflow that brings the warmer air wiht it to the outside of the building. A water tank accumulates rainwater from the roof that can be used for irrigation systems or another functions.
03 looking for efficiency
assembly model
04
the quality of the space
Each of the 31 stanze are intended to be places for learning, experimentation and an awakening of the senses. The rooms have different materials such us recycled fibres on ceilings or MDF boards faced with decorative surfaces. The use of wood on partitions allows us to design integrated functional furniture. Even the outdoor classrooms have a recycled rubber floor to protect children in a fall on it.
05
the future
Wood products have an ultra low carbon footprint. In fact, is the only material with a zero carbon footprint. That’s one reason why we decided to use this material for almost the whole construction. Most of the materials used in the partitions and the interior finishings, are recycled or recyclable. The modular and layered character of the building allows a greater flexibility when making conversions or even future extensions. All these small decisions are intended to be a veritable commitment to a more sustainable energy future.