Energy-efficient kindergarten in Michałowice

The kindergarten in Michałowice is supposed to use only natural, ecological, breathable, child-safe materials. It was decided, among others, to use hemp concrete, which looks beautiful on the facade, but above all allows to create a healthy indoor microclimate and has excellent thermal insulation properties. The focus was on materials with negative or zero carbon dioxide emissions (such as wood, clay or the aforementioned hemp concrete), an effective functional and spatial layout using orientation to the directions of the world and thus daylight, as well as maximization of energy extraction from renewable sources or land development with concern for biodiversity. The premise of the project is to create a healthy, friendly, aesthetic space for the education of the youngest. The building consistently and consciously orientates the teaching rooms directly to the south, which allows them to be perfectly illuminated. The rest of the functions that do not need daylight are located on the north side. The nursery, despite the two intersecting modules, forms a compact body. A characteristic element of the interior becomes a carved column, which marks the center of the junction of the two parts of the object and symbolically separates the central part from the didactic part for the little ones. A clear functional layout without unnecessary communication was proposed and at the same time a clear separation of building zones was achieved. The teaching block was located entirely in the south and south-west zone, the kitchen - in the best connected north-east area, as well as the administration and technical rooms. The recreation room was located closer to passers-by, on the western side, to integrate the building with the services located on Szkolna Street. Such a layout of functions allows you to use the kindergarten outside of working hours, without interfering with the teaching zone.

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