A modern wooden house for happy children

Bathed in light, welcoming and with plenty of space to play, the newly built St. Anton’s nursery in Möning embodies a sustainable modern design.

Photo: Olaf Wiechers, architect

Commissioned by the St. Willibald Catholic church foundation, architects Berschneider + Berschneider in Freystadt-Möning in Upper Palatinate in Bavaria have designed a single-storey, carbon-neutral complex which incorporates sustainability, functionality, and design inside and out.  An energy-efficient heat pump combined with underfloor heating is environmentally friendly and ensures comfortable indoor temperatures. The accessible kindergarten, which is entirely step-free, offers space for two day-care groups and two elementary groups across a total floor space of 686 m2.

A covered terrace leads from the central main building, which has a foyer, multipurpose room and dining area, to over 2000 m2 of outdoor play areas. The group rooms and offices branch off from the main building.

Wood is front and centre

The new build blends discreetly into the surrounding area with a painted grey larch wood façade. The façade sleekly merges into the roof – which is also grey – without visible eaves, giving the building a clear, linear structure.

Wood, as the dominant element, is also used inside and adds to the pleasant feel of the interior. Large floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of light, with some having window benches to make a visual connection between the interior and what lies outside. In addition, a sophisticated lighting system ensures optimal brightness in all weather.

Harmonious overall design

Light furniture and sunny yellow rubber floors are combined with light walls and natural wood to give the large rooms – some with up to six-metre-high ceilings – a warm atmosphere which is tranquil and inviting. Transparent leaf- and drop-shaped elements together with bright doors provide effective colourful accents.

To match, two different types of acoustic element have been installed in the ceilings. Besides light Troldtekt standard panels, elements with a linear pattern also feature; these tie in visually with the wooden façade and thus draw a harmonious line from inside to out and perfectly complete the overall design.