In the Khoroshevo-Mnevniki district of the North-Western administrative district of the capital, KROST Concern has built a children's educational center, which includes a kindergarten for 150 children and an elementary school for 100 children. The unification of two types of educational institutions under one roof creates a complex educational environment where the child, getting used to the comfortable environment of the kindergarten, does not say goodbye to it because of the transition to primary school. Moreover, communication between children of different ages contributes to their rapid development. This European approach can be called unique in Russia, there are no domestic analogues for this building.
KROST Concern's projects are always based on the most advanced developments of foreign and Russian specialists. The concern is distinguished by an innovative approach, which is clearly manifested in this project as well. The task was not easy, because the design of a children's educational institution requires competent and very creative work of specialists in various fields, from architects to psychologists. It is here that the interests, knowledge base and circle of communication of children begin to form. To choose the optimal solution, an architectural competition was held for the building of the Children's Educational Center. As a result, it was won by the Norwegian bureau
70ºN arkitektur. Scandinavian architects are participants in many international projects, winners of the Architectural Review magazine award for 2008.
The designers focused on bright details in the general monochrome color scheme and a well-thought-out volumetric compositional solution of the building. Against the background of a striped gray wall, there are picturesquely located squares of window frames in blue, orange, green and yellow. In the interior, some of them function as ordinary windows, while others, with low sills, create comfortable seating areas. The building "hugs" a green courtyard around the perimeter. It offers a view from all recreational areas and halls of the children's center thanks to the large area of the building's stained-glass windows.
The solution of the interiors continues the coloristic concept of the facades. Bright colors that are attractive to children create an upbeat mood in any weather. Child psychologists helped in the work on the color scheme of the premises, which promotes either creativity, or easy communication, or concentration of attention, etc. All construction and finishing materials meet the highest environmental friendliness requirements.
Speaking about the layout of the Center, the unusual arrangement of the underground floor should be noted. There, the architects managed to arrange not only technical premises and part of the catering unit, but also the entire administration, as well as rooms for parents' meetings and staff rest. This arrangement of the premises became possible thanks to the creation of wide light pits around the perimeter of the building, letting the lighting into the basement. The solution, referring to the layout of English town houses, made it possible to free up more space on the upper levels for children.
The first, second and third floors are equipped with all the necessary premises for training, recreation, sports and public events. All classes are equipped in accordance with the most modern teaching methods. There is a natural science classroom, foreign language classrooms, a modern media center with interactive learning opportunities, a space for intellectual games - "legacy".
The children's educational center is aimed at developing not only mental abilities, but also a creative approach in everything. So, at the disposal of children there is a studio hall for theatrical creativity, sculpture and pottery classes, a painting and choreography studio. The music hall includes artistic rooms and a transformable stage space designed for performances. The Center has created all the conditions for strengthening the health of children. The building is equipped with a large swimming pool with bowls of different depths and lighting for synchronized swimming, as well as gyms and a complex of physiotherapy exercises. And, of course, in such a modern educational center there is a medical block and a center for psychological assistance, where psychologists, teachers and speech therapists work. The center will use the latest play methods of treatment and prevention of psychological disorders in young children.
All conditions have been created for the safety and comfort of children. The building houses motion and light sensors, high-quality ventilation systems and humidification systems. The stairs are designed with safe fences, designed in the general style of the center. There is no need to talk about the fire safety system and access control - everything is at the highest level!
In addition to the courtyard that unites the center, on the south side of the Center there are children's walking areas with beautiful shady awnings and playgrounds. Trees - maples, mountain ash and linden trees - have been planted on the areas illuminated along the perimeter. The entire landscape design was developed in a team with European experts.
In general, there is hardly an educational center in Russia that is more attractive and functionally rich. There is really everything that children need while they grow and develop. In my childhood (and even more so in the childhood of my parents) it was difficult to imagine such a thing. Previously, the ultimate dream of a school or kindergarten was a typical Soviet building with a large assembly hall. Concern "KROST" has taken an important step in the construction of social infrastructure facilities, in particular, schools and kindergartens, creating a unique developmental environment where students will come with great pleasure!
Arina Levitskaya. Project Russia magazine. August 27, 2013
Material provided by KROST Concern
