Newly constructed wooden facility inspires play and learning

Children in Töpchin to the south of Berlin now have a brand new daycare facility boasting child-friendly design and material choices. This includes Troldtekt products, which contribute to an indoor climate with excellent acoustics.

In the town if Mittenwalde in Töpchin to the south of Berlin, a new daycare facility opened in spring 2023. The facility has space for a total of 60 children from the age of one to school age -- and the children can now enjoy the newly constructed facilities that have been designed with educational architecture and solutions at the children's height in mind. 

The building has been constructed on one level and consists of a large central space that constitutes the heart of the daycare facility and acts as a shared play zone. There are several play areas and smaller rooms throughout and these have been divided up by age. 

A covered terrace has been constructed outside the building to act as a transitional space between the indoors and the outdoors. The outdoor zone provides plenty of opportunities for movement in different activity zones.

MTTR Architekten + Stadtplaner and studioplus designed the project and the developer is the Municipality of Mittenwalde.

Facility without corridors

Several design concepts have been used at the new daycare facility in Töpchin, which showcases the latest trends for this type of building. A common thread is the fact that the building has been constructed without corridors in order to utilise every square metre available and create a cohesive institution. 

The design also includes various features such as smaller areas within the space where children can go if they need peace and quiet. The central play zone has also been painted yellow to provide warmth and energy and indicate the heart of the building. 

The integrated daycare facility is situated in beautiful surroundings with views across the landscape and away from busy roads.

The outdoors are brought inside the space through the large door and the windows all around the building.

A child-friendly indoor climate

The building was constructed using wood with prefabricated wooden elements and a wooden frame structure, which meant that the facility could be erected quickly. At the same time, it was important to ensure that the primary material had a lower carbon footprint than traditional construction materials. Wood has been used consistently throughout the interior, where several walls and the smaller spaces have also been clad in wood. 

The interior design is generally minimalist, which allows the load-bearing materials to come into their own. Troldtekt also plays a key role here, as all ceilings were constructed using Troldtekt acoustic panels. This applies both to the flat ceilings and the sloping ceiling in the activity space. 

Work has also been carried out to optimise light conditions. Daylight flows in from several angles, including skylights, and an innovative lighting design has been installed below the Troldtekt ceilings.

Together, the materials create a comfortable environment for children and staff at the facility --- while providing a warm and child-friendly atmosphere.