kreuzfeld altach kindergarten

site placement
the competition area is characterized by a small-scale parcel structure. for the kindergarten and residential buildings, several parcels are combined into one property; it is hoped that the same will happen for the adjacent southern and eastern areas, allowing generous densification of the future residential buildings.
for the entire development area between kreuzfeldweg and widenfeldstrasse, a shared center for the kindergarten and residential buildings with a shared underground garage is planned at the competition site. the shared center is located in the center of the development area and extends to widenfeldstrasse, whose traffic-calmed zone articulates the transition from traffic areas to the new village square. the kindergarten and childcare facilities are placed in the east to create quiet outdoor play areas separated from the rest of the site. the residential buildings are elevated above the terrain in large sections, allowing the shared center to extend to the kindergarten. by raising the residential buildings and arranging a terraced building, the maximization of usable outdoor areas is achieved. the height development responds in a staggered way to the existing surroundings of the two-story single-family house structures.

village square as a shared center
the shared center forms the village square, with the neighborhood pub and small shop located beneath the residential buildings at its core. adjacent sheltered areas provide space for diverse activities, including a weekly market. youth club and neighborhood workshop, the alm community, with office spaces, entrances and exits of the underground garage, access to the residential buildings, and bicycle storage for the kindergarten and residential buildings all contribute to activating the shared center. all outdoor facilities, such as a toddler playground, a public playground with climbing structures and bump track, and a family workout area, connect to the new village square.

kindergarten
the spaces for the youngest children are connected to the new village square and have protected outdoor areas facing west. the program is arranged on two levels: childcare on the ground floor and kindergarten with a large outdoor area on the upper floor. all group rooms have direct access to adjacent covered outdoor areas. benches along the facades, inside and outside, can be connected via sliding window elements to create large lounge and play areas, making the transition between interior and exterior fluid. the varied spatial arrangements offer a diverse range of uses for different groups and individuals. the areas are clearly organized and open. by limiting the building to two floors and achieving short circulation routes, synergies between kindergarten and childcare can be realized through shared areas. large windows or shed roofs above the group rooms expand the spatial volume and provide additional daylight from the east.

residential buildings
the residential buildings are designed as “residential shelves.” on one long side, continuous galleries provide maximum flexibility for apartment widths and sizes, while on the other long side, generous balconies and terraces face west, overlooking the shared center and play areas. the underground garage provides access to all residential floors via two staircases and a lift. at the two interfaces between the residential buildings and the kindergarten, small apartments are arranged on level 1, which can be temporarily or permanently allocated to the kindergarten as expansion areas if needed.
level 2 offers communal terraces and resident gardens.

structural concept
to allow maximum flexibility of use inside the building, load-bearing wall panels are only used to the extent necessary for horizontal stabilization of the building. the primary structural elements are reinforced concrete columns and ceilings arranged in an economical grid.

material concept
great attention is paid to ecological footprint, co2 emissions from production, transport, and disposal of building materials. all classrooms have wooden floors to enhance the floor as a seating or play area; other rooms are finished according to requirements. ventilated facades are executed with wooden cladding, and windows are wood-aluminum constructions. transparent surfaces have effective external sun protection. cantilevered roofs or balconies serve as sun protection for high summer sun, protect facades from weather and dirt, and facilitate cleaning and maintenance. trees in front of the facade provide additional shading.

fire protection and escape routes concept
the entire load-bearing structure is made of reinforced concrete. the terraced building allows escape routes on each floor directly onto the terraces or adjacent grounds. from every point in the building, the outdoor space can be reached within 40 meters of walking, with escape possible in at least two directions. from the kindergarten terraces, two staircases lead to the ground floor level and connect to public spaces.

energy concept
the energy concept is based on passive optimization of the building, including the omission of suspended ceilings to utilize the available thermal mass (reinforced concrete ceilings and walls). acoustic elements are designed to activate the thermal mass.
at night, skylights can be automatically opened when outdoor temperatures permit, allowing cross ventilation. this expels warm air and introduces cooler outside air. the night air cools the thermal mass and preconditions the rooms for the next day.
balconies, roof overhangs, or cantilevered parts provide glare-free lighting, prevent summer overheating, and allow sheltered ventilation. green roofs with a thick layer of humus absorb and delay energy input, contributing to additional thermal stabilization. during soil moisture evaporation, a cooling effect occurs due to the latent heat released.