COBE has completed the Kindergarten Forfatterhuset in Copenhagen and 160 children have moved in. Five small houses with a unique brick cladding and green roofs and roof gardens create the framework for Copenhagen's new kindergarten.

How to place a new kindergarden in the green campus structure of "De Gamles By" in Copenhagen?

Five small houses with a unique brick cladding and green roof gardens will provide the framework for Forfatterhuset Kindergarten. From the outside the day-care institution appears as a village for children, but from the inside coherent and efficient. This helps creating a place that is small, compact and exciting for children as well as functional and flexible in everyday life. The unique facade cladding mimes the historic surroundings of red bricks but instead of using traditional horizontal bricks, the facade consists of vertical brick lamellae continuing as a band from house to house, and surrounding the garden and playground. 

The plot today: A green pocket, with a few scattered trees

Define a space: A low fence wraped around the green preserves the existing trees creating anintimate but open space, safe for children

Small gardens: The garden is divided into smaller zones of various character

"Potted plants": The buildings are designed as a series of "potted plants" - creating lush roofgardens and preserving the existing trees. Heights are adjusted according to context anddaylight

Material adapted to surroundings: Red brick lamellae correspond to the surrounding red brickbuildings

The five small houses appear as a series of “flower pots” retaining all existing trees and recreating a greenenvironment on the roofs in form of lush roof gardens.

site plan

Plan:Ground Floor

Plan:1st Floor

Plan:2nd Floor

east elevation

Longitudinal Section

Axonometry: Close connection to outdoor spaces from each floor

All visuals © COBE

Project Facts