Daycare | Physical Activity | New Construction

Change of perspective

At the Kematen daycare center, the existing gallery with its open space was transformed into a two-story play area that creates additional play spaces and allows children to explore the space across both levels.

Spaces that appear open and vast to adults often seem oversized to young children and are difficult for them to grasp. The “room-within-a-room” structure introduced by Kameleon absorbs this vastness and structures it in such a way that the proportions become manageable for children again—allowing them to orient themselves within it using all their senses and their entire bodies and to develop an understanding of three-dimensionality.

The redesign also changes the situation in the circulation areas: The existing open railings have been replaced with tall birch multiplex balustrades that allow views through their integrated acrylic glass panels while also providing greater safety. At the same time, the many opportunities for movement within the platform landscape help ensure that fewer children linger in the hallways and that less loose material accumulates there.

In addition, an existing crawling area was integrated into the design, allowing existing resources to be utilized directly and meaningfully complementing the new activity landscape.

Before

Planning

Project

Kematen Daycare Center: A two-story structure connected by a built-in platform that provides opportunities for play and physical activity for children aged 1–3.

Client

Municipality of Kematen – Austria

Year

2024

  • Requirements

    Creation of a connecting element from the ground floor to the upper floor that accommodates various activities, and expansion of the educational spaces. Integration into an open gallery area with views of the outdoor space.

  • Solution

    An activity tower was designed and built to connect the two floors. The entrances were planned in such a way that the facility can be closed off to ensure better oversight during drop-off and pick-up times.

  • Services

    Concept, Planning & Development, Construction Planning, Implementation