For the shape of our building, we took a primitive form in the shape of a parallelepiped, which incorporates two main functional blocks – the main one with group cells and auxiliary spaces. In the central part, at the junction of the blocks, we placed the main entrance and the grand staircase. Then, by bending the primitive along the axis of the main entrance, we not only met the requirements of the master plan but also obtained an entrance area.

To add extra emphasis to the main entrance, we shifted part of the first floor of the auxiliary block inward, which created a striking console decorated with screens in the form of vertical metal grilles. In addition to visually enhancing the building’s composition, it also has a purely practical function — it serves as a canopy and provides space for storing strollers and scooters near the main entrance.

According to the customer’s technical requirements, the building’s facade had to be made of facing brick, and the master plan specified its colour scheme. Since minimalism was the foundation of our design approach, we continued to develop this idea on the facades. This is how a brick monolith emerged, divided by window openings and niches for entrances to group cells, which were additionally accentuated with color. At the main entrance, this was expressed through an inversion of the brickwork color and a bright console ceiling, and at the side entrances — through bright plaster inserts. In addition, we introduced elements made of metal grilles; this technique allowed us to connect different facade elements together or, conversely, to lift the heavy brick facade off the ground.

Despite the monumental and austere character of the building, we wanted to make it as open as possible and connected to its surroundings.

To achieve this, we paid close attention to the translucent structures in order to let as much light as possible into the interiors. This led to skylights on the roof, double-height vestibules and fully glazed entrance areas, while for the group rooms we designed glass bay-window volumes. The idea is that children can step beyond the boundary of the building without leaving their group room, and can make visual contact with each other while in different groups and on different floors. This also strengthened the connection between the interior spaces and the surrounding area.