Carpenter, (state-certified) educator
Location: Würzburg
We shape the future
... with spaces that inspire!
Spaces are never neutral to us. They shape behaviour, open up possibilities – or limit them.
In many institutions such as children’s daycare centres, kindergartens, schools, and pupils’ all day care facilities, we encounter a similar situation: everyday life must function, processes must run smoothly, and safety is a priority. That makes sense. At the same time, from this perspective, rules emerge that manage symptoms rather than solving causes. Therefore, we see it as our task to work together with those responsible to develop a sustainable vision—and to strengthen the courage to make decisions in the best interests of the children, even if the path to achieving this seems unfamiliar at first.
‘Watching children closely is the first step towards good ideas.’
– Gottfried Schilling
We see ourselves as an interdisciplinary team and consistently design spaces from the perspective of children—accompanying projects from the initial consultation, through design and implementation planning, to furnishing, production, and tender support. In doing so, we combine architectural quality with legal requirements and a high level of educational effectiveness.
Our managing director and visionary Gottfried Schilling combines craftsmanship with pedagogy: as a trained carpenter and educator, he has a deep understanding of children's needs as well as decades of experience in designing child-friendly spaces. His approach shapes our thinking and work: child-centered, dialogical, and quality-conscious.
‘Children don’t need spaces that shield them from every challenge, but rather spaces that allow them to solve problems themselves—because that is precisely where development lies.’
– Gottfried Schilling
Our history
Holistic approach. Pedagogically sound. Precisely implemented.
Our work is characterised by a consistently holistic approach: we understand, we question, we translate, we conceptualise, we design, we do acoustics, we manufacture, we assemble, we stand for quality and origin—and we pass on our knowledge. Each of these steps follows the same principle: designing spaces in such a way that they facilitate educational work and open up genuine spaces of experience for children.
An essential part of our self-image is the clear separation of consulting and product. We do not plan in order to equip as much as possible. We consult in order to find the right solution—sometimes this also means rearranging existing structures, uncovering potential or deliberately adding less. This independence creates clarity in the process and confidence in the decisions.
That is why, since 1995, we have been designing, planning and implementing holistic spatial concepts for nurseries, schools and other educational settings, creating spaces that inspire children to play, explore, experiment, interact and grow.
Full power for good rooms!
IN THE PLANNING TEAM
EMPLOYEES IN PLANNING, PRODUCTION, AND ADMINISTRATION
KAMELEON LOCATIONS IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
COMPLETED
SPACE PROJECTS IN THE YEAR
LANDSCAPES OF MOVEMENT
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"I know something, I'm already big and brave, people believe in me."
We create movement landscapes and spatial situations that invite children to try things out.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
POSSIBILITY OF WITHDRAWAL
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"Here we can play undisturbed and discuss things among ourselves."
We design rooms with lots of places for one or more children to retreat to: caves, corners, baskets, raised platforms...
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
ROOMS FOR MOVEMENT
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We romp, run, and climb, and we dare to do things."
We design movement spaces in such a way that they encourage activity and make children want to explore their own limits.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
WORK
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"I made that."
We plan spaces that provide a special setting for the children's creations, thereby expressing our appreciation.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
ORIENTATION
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We know our way around here."
We create orientation through distinctive rooms or zones, which the children can recognize by their purpose.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
COMMUNITY
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We plan our day together and belong together."
We create spaces for community: for example, attractive children's restaurants or cozy places for children's conferences, morning circles, or singing circles.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
NATURAL MATERIALS
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We experience, discover, and explore the world."
We consciously use natural materials that enable a wide variety of sensory experiences.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
ZONES
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We can play anywhere and with anything."
We divide rooms into different zones, each with its own unique qualities. Lots of natural materials and "real" things invite children to play.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
LANDSCAPES OF MOVEMENT
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"I know something, I'm already big and brave, people believe in me."
We create movement landscapes and spatial situations that invite children to try things out.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
POSSIBILITY OF WITHDRAWAL
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"Here we can play undisturbed and discuss things among ourselves."
We design rooms with lots of places for one or more children to retreat to: caves, corners, baskets, raised platforms...
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
ROOMS FOR MOVEMENT
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We romp, run, and climb, and we dare to do things."
We design movement spaces in such a way that they encourage activity and make children want to explore their own limits.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
WORK
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"I made that."
We plan spaces that provide a special setting for the children's creations, thereby expressing our appreciation.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
ORIENTATION
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We know our way around here."
We create orientation through distinctive rooms or zones, which the children can recognize by their purpose.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
COMMUNITY
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We plan our day together and belong together."
We create spaces for community: for example, attractive children's restaurants or cozy places for children's conferences, morning circles, or singing circles.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
NATURAL MATERIALS
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We experience, discover, and explore the world."
We consciously use natural materials that enable a wide variety of sensory experiences.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
ZONES
What children appreciate about their daycare center:
"We can play anywhere and with anything."
We divide rooms into different zones, each with its own unique qualities. Lots of natural materials and "real" things invite children to play.
(see study "Children as actors in quality development and research," Gütersloh 2021)
We provide on-sitesupport at Kameleon locations
Mainleus
Würzburg
Bremen
Aachen
Stuttgart
Wien
Wertach
Lingen
Wurzbach
Nürnberg/Fürth
Hamburg
Mainleus
Produktion und Planungsbüro
Am Gries 1
D-95336 Mainleus
Tel. +49 9229 32896-0
Würzburg
Planungsteam
Bremen
Aachen
Stuttgart
Wien
Wertach
Lingen
Wurzbach
Nürnberg/Fürth
Hamburg
Comments about Kameleon
"When the right equipment is installed in the right functional space, it significantly helps with educational work. It takes the pressure off staff, the children explore their surroundings on their own, and the space becomes a third educator."
Dr. Sabine Zippel
Managing Director „Mouse House"
Bilingual daycare centers in Hamburg
Managing Director „Mouse House"
Bilingual daycare centers in Hamburg
"Children belong at the forefront of society and deserve meaningful educational spaces. When designing spaces, Kameleon takes a holistic view of children and their learning and development potential. The fixtures offer a variety of challenges that help children grow. This ensures that the spatial experience never becomes boring."
Dr. Ilse Wehrmann
Expert in early childhood education
WEHRMANN Education Consulting
Expert in early childhood education
WEHRMANN Education Consulting
"If a room is well designed, challenging, child-friendly, and offers many possibilities, that's half the battle when it comes to educational work. Of course, educators also have to embrace this design and learn how to use it. In our creative area, which is completely flexible on casters for structural reasons, you can see how a new prepared environment can be created in just a few simple steps. This gives children a constant sense of wonder and the incentive to discover something new."
Maren Albers-Witte
Head of Steilshooper Allee Daycare Center, Hamburg
Head of Steilshooper Allee Daycare Center, Hamburg
"The possibilities that our interior design offers in our educational work are certainly a major factor in my employees' satisfaction. Our teaching staff want to work in exactly this kind of environment. This leads to a stable team, which in turn benefits the children."
Dr. Sabine Zippel
Managing Director „Mouse House"
Bilingual daycare centers in Hamburg
Managing Director „Mouse House"
Bilingual daycare centers in Hamburg