Instead of simply demolishing the school complex that had been vacant for a number of years and replacing it with a conventional new structure, the decision was made for a circular and process-oriented approach. A feasibility study authored cooperatively by the municipality and the planners concluded that the dilapidated building fabric from the 1930s and 1960s wasn’t suitable for conversion – however, it was adequate for nearly complete upcycling on the same site. The principle of “form follows availability” guided Lendager in their design for the new facility. It employs the existing materials as its structural, functional, and atmospheric design basis. Roughly 6000 tons of concrete, 12 000 roof tiles, 80 000 masonry bricks, as well as numerous steel and timber elements were reclaimed, catalogued, and processed. This meticulous approach led to a logistical challenge, yet also evolved into the core of the design method. Materials were, in part, stored on site on the former school sports field. This allowed avoiding long transport routes and became a factor that significantly influenced the ecobalance.
The daycare centre is situated in a former industrial zone that was eventually transformed into a mixed use district. The additive geometry is a response to the heterogeneous context. The U-shape of the floor plan is oriented on the children’s everyday life in terms of its dimensions and scale. Single storey building volumes with pitched roofs and parallel gables surround a protected interior courtyard. The facade materials alternate, comprising masonry brick, corrugated sheet metal, horizontal wood siding, and red roofing tile. The resulting impression echoes the image of an unplanned, idyllic village – a spatial collage that enables both comprehension and sensual experience. On the inside, the houses are interconnected. The central meeting point of the integrative facility for altogether 148 children is a glazed orangery. Its construction refers directly to the previous building. The six original wood trusses that support the glazed roof were sourced from the former gymnasium. They were structurally retrofit by use of additional timber elements, steel plates, and tension rods. The orangery also serves as entrance and foyer. From here, the daycare centre branches out into the two lateral wings comprising four group rooms each, in addition to shared zones and sanitary spaces. The gymnastics area across from the orangery was designed for children with disabilities. The entire facility is barrier-free.
The daycare centre interiors predominantly feature bright coloured, natural materials. The open spaces reach up to the underside of the pitched roofs, where lightweight wood wool panels balance the interior acoustics. Solid timber surfaces establish a warm and cozy atmosphere. All materials used on the inside of the building are emission-free and C2C certified. This supported saving resources during construction as well as creating a healthy indoor climate. As a result, the daycare centre was awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
