Designer: PORT
Architects In Charge: Józef Franczok, Marcin Kolanus
Team: Józef Franczok, Marcin Kolanus, Mateusz Mikołajów, Monika Smorąg, Zofia Fedorów
Function: kindergarten
Investor: Pro Liberis Silesiae
Project location: Olimpijska 2, 45-681 Opole, Poland
Building area: 456,7 m²
Usable floor area: 462,40 m2
Land area: 1469 m²
Year: 2020
Photo credits: Stan Zajączkowski

This is a close look at the kindergarten's staircase with a built-in wooden slide on the side.

This is a close look at the stairs going to the upper floor with white screen panels and wooden banisters for handle.

This is the top of the stairs that has a wooden built-in slide on the side.

This is a close look at one of the classrooms with hardwood flooring and built-in book shelves on the far corner.

This other classroom has a built-in waist-high wooden shelves by the brick wall on the far side.

This is another class room that has an entryway and a tunnel leading to the other classroom.

This spacious classroom has hardwood flooring and a tall ceiling with windows to let in natural light.

The tall ceiling of the classroom also has a skylight to add to the natural light that brightens the light walls.

This is an upper level classroom with white walls extending to the tall cathedral ceiling with large beams.

This is a close look at one of the walls with textured stone base and a wrought-iron ladder.

This is another upper floor classroom with a tall cathedral ceiling complemented by the textured brick walls.

This is a close look at the classroom that has built-in wooden shelves lining the walls. These are then complemented by the tall ceiling and the brick wall.

This is a closer look at the tall ceiling of the classroom with windows and skylights to bright in natural lights.

This is a close looka t one of the classrooms that has built-in wooden shelkves and cabinets on the walls and has a concrete ceiling.

This is a closer look at the low wooden shelf by the entryway adorned with a piece of exposed red brick wall panel.

This is a close look at the pair of skylights that bring in natural lighting for the room.

This is a closer look at the bottom of the built-in wooden slide on the side of the steps.

One of the staircases of the kindergarten has a built-in wooden slide on the side of the steps.

This is a close look at the staircase that has a wooden slide on the side from the vantage of the landing.

This is a look at the top of the classroom with a large brick exposed wall and a couple of skylights.

This is a closer look down the woodem built-in slide of the stairs.

This is a bright room due to the large glass windows on its shed ceiling.

On the side of the large windows are a couple of false windows with glass panels on red brick wall.

This is a close look at the glass window looking down onto the classroom below and the large wooden pillar beside it.

This is a close look at the small windows on one of the upper classrooms that look down onto another classroom below.

This is a close look at the tall ceiling of a classroom that has windows and skylights that bring in natural lights.

This is a close look at the red brick wall on the side of the built-in slide.

This is a close look at the tall wall of the classroom with small windows and light coming in from the outer windows.

This is a close looka t the cathedral ceiling of the kindergarten that has long light fixtures.

This is a close look at the two classrooms from the vantage of the entryway in between.

This side of the kindergarten has a set of wrought iron steps that lead up to the loft area above with screen panels.

This is a faucet area on the side of the glass door with black elements and fixtures to stand out against the white wall.

This is a close look at the main entrance and the edge of the black sink area with a built-in cabinet.

This is a close look at a bathroom with two separate sinks for different height.

This is a side of the kindergarten with red brick exposed wall and glass doors and windows that brighten the flooring.

This is a close look at the kindergarten's mudroom with a long wooden bench and a long wooden shelf system.

This bathroom has a wooden door, white porcelain sink and concrete walls.

This is a look at the side of the house with a row of potted plants and a grass lawn.

This is a close look at the exterior with glass walls on one side facing the lawn with trees on the borders.

This is a look at the graveled driveway and walkway in between of structures within the property.

This is an exterior look of the structure showcasing the burnt wooden shiplap panel on the side.

The burnt wooden shiplap wall supports the glass walls on the side.

This is a closer look at the gray brick walkway on the side of the structure shaded by a tall tree.

On the far corner of this area is a glass door that leads to the interior of the structure.

This side of the structure has glass walls and doors that open up to the lawn and the brick walkway.

This view of the side of the structure showcase the red tile roofing with a dark chimney.

This nighttime view of the structure showcases the interiors through the glass walls and doors ith its warm lighting inside.

This is a side of the structure with small windows that also light up from the interior lights.

This is an aerial view of the kindergarten with a look at the clay tile roof adorned with skylights.

This is a full view of the glass wall and how it reveals the interiors with a warm yellow glow.

This is a full view of the glass wall and how it reveals the interiors with a warm yellow glow with a view of the classroom inside.

This corner has a glass door that glows against the white exterior walls on the far corner.

This is a close look at the main entrance of the house with a set of glass door that is surrounded with glass panels.

This is an aerial view of the kindergarten with its two structures and red clay tile roofs.

This is an aerial view of the kindergarten showcasing the surrounding structures and houses around it.

This is the illustration of the concept for the kindergarten.

This is an illustration of the kindergarten's concept diagram.

We aimed to create an inspiring and stimulating kindergarten space, to foster kids’ growth and development. The building acts as a “vessel” for young human beings, where its form casts user’s behavior, sense of security, and self-esteem. It offers incentives for joy and exploration. To be a window into their future, to understand the world, and build their own identity.

While working on the project we focused on maintaining the existing buildings’ layout with a yard in between. That is to expose different building’s proportions and historical changes with their specific details. We introduce new functions that connect all while keeping them autonomous.

Following program requirements, the main existing block has been extended and converted into kindergarten. The new layout finds its room in the existing building, preserving its volume, and expanding into the garden through inserted modern-box, that offers classrooms a variety of spaces. Moreover, it acts as an indoor yard, to strengthen Montesorii’s idea of being in regular contact with nature, where full-height glass blurs the boundary between outside and inside.

Through the design process, it remained very important to us to distinguish the old and new fabrics of the buildings. Since both parts have very different material characteristics, one can easily read their individualism from outside as well as from the inside. And front glass facade not only connects kids with the outdoors, but it allows visitors to view and perceive the pre-existing volume and texture.

Small extension from the 80’s and separate outbuilding, which turned into a workshop receive unique characters as well, recognizing its original beauty.

The workshop building with a function of a common room is filled with light, as we introduced vast glazing into all existing openings. The walls largely retain their original raw character and few missing vaults have been recreated with concrete. Furthermore, we have added a vestibule that accompanies a workshop for artworks with a sink and a toilet.

Quality of space with a variety of heights and characteristics within the complex as well as in one room offers users an opportunity to find the right atmosphere at the given moment. From cozy corners for hiding, to more exclusive places, where kids can receive appropriate attention.

Openings in the walls foster joy and interaction between pupils. Windows become a sitting, a passage, a portal, or an entrance to the hidden world. They offer connection and stimulate imagination, same as light-rays from the skylights, that resembles a game of light and shadow in a forest.

Internal facades express the building’s history and structure. Fragments of an old lintel or brickwork are creating original pictures, but also telling a story while stimulating various senses. The building preserves the smell of natural material and presents its roughness, all the changes, and ongoing aging.

Floors, walls, and ceilings often retain their original, construction character. The imprints in the concrete show what kind of formwork was used, while exposed structural elements such a tie beam that bonds the building, showing the way the structure works.

In a world nowadays, that is often overstimulated and overwhelmed with information and products, perhaps a building can help us to learn how to appreciate contact with nature, simplicity, and our own identity. To understand the nature of things and how they are constructed. To create a framework and atmosphere for building up our first relationships.