Children's House and Cultural Center

The Children's House and Cultural Center is both a school, designed according to the latest educational principles based on 21st-century learning competencies, and a civic building with an open creative environment that supports the positive development of the neighborhood. A composition of four standalone "boxes" each represents their expertise in music, creativity, early childhood environment, and movement. The educational organization is divided into frontstage and backstage, with the open and public functions on the ground floor (frontstage) and learning environments on the upper floors (backstage). The daycare is located on the 'edge' of the frontstage, in a sheltered environment with views of the Cultural Square. Learning areas are accessed externally via local stairs and terraces, while central atriums ensure maximum internal connectivity in the building. The layout ensures a safe and manageable environment for younger children in close contact with the adult caregivers and the primary subject areas for both creative and scientific activities.

Excerpt from the jury statement: 

'The proposal builds on a fine analysis of the area's potentials and challenges and in its expression creates a break from the modular and stringent residential neighborhood. The proposal appears compact, locally rooted, and creates a very fine and clear focal point for the area's connections while ensuring inviting transitions from all sides.' 'The proposed solution demonstrates convincing architectural quality both in the overall, medium scale, and detail. The proposal is a whole dynamic cultural city that generously and equally unfolds for the various functions. The music school, art school, daycare, and drama/sports each have a solid footprint on the ground floor. Throughout, there is thought given to connection possibilities across the house's actors, expertise, and functions.’