kindergarten and nursery extension and renovation, hausmannstätten

concept
the decision by the municipality of hausmannstätten to acquire the hamlitsch estate represents an important and very meaningful step for the community. this makes it possible to reorganize and expand facilities such as the kindergarten, a future nursery and the social services centre, and to provide space for additional shared facilities for the village community. the farm building and the attic spaces of the residential building and the hamlitsch outbuilding can in future be used for theatre, readings, cooking clubs, youth gatherings, etc. with this decision, the continued existence of a traditional farmstead at the entrance to the village street is also secured — an important element of the village core area, which is characterised by typical farm buildings up to the crossroads. the kindergarten, currently located in the former primary school building, will receive a new entrance from the village street via the hamlitsch courtyard. the partial demolition of the 1974 building section allows a reorientation and enables a new connecting element between the upper church square and the lower yard: a multi-storey “shelf” structure extends the kindergarten premises in the former primary school by providing important indoor and outdoor areas, establishing the necessary vertical circulation within the kindergarten and enabling generous connections between kindergarten, administration area, dining hall, central cloakroom and nursery. this intervention allows direct access to the central cloakroom both from the village street and — as before — on foot from the church square. a “family system” of three groups each forms the spatial and pedagogical principle of the kindergarten, supporting exchange between the units and promoting play and early learning in varied settings. retreat spaces as well as community and inter-group areas are provided. the movement rooms are integrated into the family areas, significantly increasing the available space for each family unit and ensuring continuous usability for different purposes without long walking distances. the movement rooms and the marketplace can be opened to the shelf structure and extended. in this way, the previously rigid former school space is transformed — depending on weather and use — into a flexible area with a permeable façade. the exterior of the shelf is partially screened by a fine mesh, planted with various climbing species — providing protection for the children and against low western summer sun. entrance, cloakroom, dining area and the large reading staircase form a generous entrance to the children’s world — a place offering sufficient space for indoor and outdoor events. the hamlitsch courtyard with its impressive central tree is an ideal outdoor play area for the kindergarten, offering covered play zones in the former stable building — an atmosphere suited for all seasons and weather conditions, fulfilling children’s dreams. the free-standing, open former hamlitsch stable will be gradually and carefully renovated according to the municipality’s financial means, preserving the building’s character: brick paver floors instead of clay floors as play and theatre surfaces; installation of a mobile wooden stage; reopening of walled-up doors to their original state with large timber gates; protection and renovation of old walls against rising damp. where structurally required, the roof truss will be reinforced and made accessible. the result is an ideal venue for children’s and youth summer camps. the position of the hamlitsch outbuilding along the courtyard, with its vaulted rooms, is ideal for the nursery.

direct access to the outdoor area and generous interior spaces support the educational work of the staff. proximity to the dining hall and educators’ café supports the settling-in phase of children whose parents remain nearby. the street-side residential building will be adapted for nursery administration spaces or other services. later, the attic could be expanded, as well as the attic spaces of the nursery, to create rooms for diverse community uses — ideally a youth centre. parking spaces will be provided only where necessary, while minimising car use will be incentivised for both children and parents. bicycle parking at the entrance and e-charging stations powered by the building’s photovoltaic system in the accessible basement are provided. with a few well-placed measures, this site can complement the nearby generation park and become a cosmos for children, youth and the community — potentially serving as a new centre for hausmannstätten, a centre for all.

energy concept
the energy concept is based on passive optimisation of the building, avoiding suspended ceilings to maximise thermal mass of concrete or solid timber slabs and walls. acoustic elements will be designed to allow activation of thermal mass. balconies, roof overhangs and projecting building elements ensure glare-free daylighting, prevent overheating and enable weather-protected natural ventilation. continuous external shading systems support thermal control. green roofs with humus layers absorb and delay heat loads, providing thermal stability. evaporation creates cooling through latent heat release. the pitched roofs of the former primary school offer surfaces for photovoltaics, covering internal demand and enabling e-charging stations for e-bikes and e-cars.

ventilation concept
group and administrative rooms will be equipped with controlled mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. supply air enters group rooms and flows through sound-damped transfer elements to adjacent play zones, where extraction occurs. this ensures adequate fresh air throughout the building while minimising airflow. units can be installed in the existing roof space. night ventilation through high windows provides natural cooling, discharging warm air and cooling the thermal mass for the next day. optionally, boreholes or groundwater can be used for cooling and air conditioning; partial areas can receive thermal activation.

materiality
material selection focuses on ecological impact and co₂ emissions from production, transport and deconstruction. all group rooms, open areas and dining spaces will feature timber flooring, enhancing usability for sitting and play. rear-ventilated timber façades, timber-aluminium windows and external sun-shading systems complete the construction concept.