The 1,500 m2 building combines the traditional appearance of a Danish residential building - a gable roof and variations on the theme of dormers - with the latest pedagogical ideas about what a modern orphanage should be like and what needs of its inhabitants it should satisfy.
Instead of a single volume, a complex of a series of different-sized "houses" with facades of wood and terracotta tiles was created. These "houses" are equipped with additional ledges, reminiscent of dormer windows, only much larger, and sometimes even turned upside down. Thanks to the resulting chamber scale, the new structure fits perfectly into the surrounding residential area.
The aim of the project was to create a sense of inclusion, safety and diversity among the inhabitants of the house. The interiors are primarily responsible for the latter quality. Each of the 4 age groups has its own "house", and the dwelling of the kids is facing the garden and the playground, and the eldest, teenagers - on the street (they are allowed to walk around the city and spend time with their peers living there): this solution allows children to feel the space allocated to him as truly "his own", in contrast to the version with typical bedrooms in a single building. An even greater variety is made by ledges - "dormers", which can be used as you like - for classes, games, reading, etc. Their current function and design are chosen by children, which will allow them to “individualize” the environment of the orphanage, transforming it from an institution into a real home, as far as possible.
All "houses" are adjacent to the central volume, which makes the movement of employees through the building more convenient and quick. Household and administrative premises are located either in the basement or on the 2nd floor and are thus removed from the space of children's everyday life, so as not to remind once again of the "official" nature of the building.
