KITA Building on Alfred-Randt-Str.

Hinz Architekten designed a barrier-free, flexible, and open concept kindergarten building integrated with nature, accommodating 170 children in Berlin, emphasizing sustainability and user-specific features.

  • area / size 20,774 sqft
  • Completed 2023
  • Location Berlin, Germany,
  • Replacement Construction of a Kindergarten: An Innovative Concept for the Future
    In 2023, the replacement construction of a kindergarten was successfully completed in the heart of a 1970s prefabricated housing estate. The new building accommodates 170 children and was built on a plot of approximately 6,500 square meters. At this location stood a three-story kindergarten building from the 1980s, which was in a dilapidated condition. After the completion of the new building, the old structure was demolished.

    The concept of the new building focuses on openness, accessibility, and inclusivity. An entirely ground-level, fully barrier-free building was designed to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding natural environment. Its pavilion-like structure blends into the tree canopy, creating a pleasant and nurturing atmosphere for the children.

    The architecture takes into account the specific needs of the users: The 170 children have access to a generous educational area, accommodated in a building of approximately 50 by 50 meters. To optimally illuminate the deep spaces and ensure pleasant air circulation, four atriums were incorporated into the building. These not only provide natural light but also enable cross-ventilation. Their east-west orientation also reduces direct solar heat gain.

    The building’s functional concept places a strong emphasis on flexibility. The rooms are designed to be interconnected or used individually as needed. Generous window areas and a transparent room layout strengthen the connection to the outside and offer the children an unobstructed view of the garden and the themed atriums.

    The facade of the new building features a modern post-and-beam construction with large glass panels, transforming the building into a bright and airy space. A green flat roof completes the sustainable concept, while pergolas and terraces connect the building with the surrounding open spaces, providing additional room for exploration and play for the children.

    Design: Hinz Architekten
    Photography: bullahuth