Sondika Kindergarten

Mark Dudek

Description

The form of the building is a simple rectangular block. Most of the roof is flat yet its linear form is punctuated by a number of overscaled dormer rooflights which gives the external appearance one of spatial variation within the strict geometries of the box. The architects describe this as a ‘multi-faceted geometry’, which relates to the surrounding mountainous landscape, reflecting blue light off the topography onto the shiny metallic roof finishes. The building glows in the morning sun, magnifying winter sun into and around the vicinity of the site. The effect gives children a real sense of excitement as they approach in the morning.

Once inside, the roofscape feature has a further positive effect. Each activity area, which is dedicated to children of different age, has its own distinct spatial quality, with higher and lower roof lines to enhance the spatial drama of this deceptively simple interior. There is a sense of calm order, yet it is never boring. From the activity areas, children can stare at the landscape through a continuous glass wall, which wraps around the accommodation. Inside the children’s activity areas, moveable partitions in mirrored, etched or transparent glass, further enhance the feeling of spatial transparency and variation. Yet for the most part, the transparency is only available to children, since above child height, the partitions become solid. It is a privilege that the children recognise is theirs within this child-orientated environment.

The extent of glazing on both of the main façades is, according to the architects, a key feature of the offer made to children who come here. Where many children’s environments close the users off from the surroundings, here the architecture ameliorates subtly between the inside and the outside; children can see out, yet they are never on show, an effect which is down to the carefully choreographed orientation. Clear views are towards the countryside to the south (with a north-facing glazed façade which provides protection from the hot sun). Whereas the glazing to the south is in semi-transparent highly engineered solar glass, to give shade and controlled views on the hot south façades. The architects describe this connectivity the building has with its surroundings with a metaphor from nature, that of the ‘marsupial bag’. This they say quite rightly is a unique place in nature where the baby has the possibility to contemplate the outside world, from a privileged and protected place. It is a sensitive image for both protection and a sense of the outside world. The result is an effective facility for very young children, at an extremely modest price. With its highly glazed front and rear façades, the building stands out from the surrounding main school façades to create a distinctive aspect, a fitting presence on the school campus, and an example of architecture which can really make a difference to its very young users. It is neither patronising, avoiding Disneyland type references, which can often be found in buildings for the very young, nor does it use overtly modern architectural styling, for its own sake. There is a sense here that the architects have taken the psychological needs of the children seriously, to create a mature and subtle form of architecture.