Saunalahti Daycare Interior

How to inspire kids to learn

Location: Espoo, Finland
Function: Childrens play area, Daycare, Learning spaces, Multifunctional spaces, Workshops
Size: 2015 m2
Status: Competition 1st Prize
Client: City of Espoo
Scope: Architecture, Art integration, Graphic design, Interior, Landscape

JKMM won the Saunalahti Children’s House competition with the design titled “Lowly Worm”. True to its name, the house worms its way through some rocky terrain in Espoo. It has two storeys and houses a kindergarten as well as a children’s health centre, protected from the street by a wavy, façade worked in stone. Between the Kummelivuori hill and the house there is a sheltered play area. Inside, upper windows in the shape of cones let light filter into the connecting lobbies.

First floor houses day-care centre containing five groups of children and common spaces for all users. The day-care home areas open out on the playing yard that is formed between the rising pine covered hill slope and the new building. The street side contains common and staff facilities. Ground floor contains children’s nursery and technical spaces.

The rendered, curved southern wall forms the public façade of the building. Rest of the façades are made of timber. Building locates at a difficult, rocky site near Saunalahti gulf seashore. Playground forms a safe, unobstructed and exhilarating artificial landscape. Motives, materials and colours of the building have been inspired by the excisting landscape.

© Mika Huisman
© Mika Huisman
© Mika Huisman
© Mika Huisman
© Robert Lindström
© Robert Lindström