kindergarten under the oaks

The expansion and modernization of the “Kindergarten Under the Oaks” in Wesoła, Warsaw, is the result of a winning architectural competition. The project involved preserving the existing building, which is listed in the municipal register of historic monuments, and complementing it with a new, contemporary section that engages in a harmonious and respectful dialogue with the 1930s structures.

A key design principle was the preservation of the valuable trees, which form an integral part of the site’s identity. The new part of the kindergarten was designed as a group of three volumes with non-rectangular forms, extending from the front of the plot towards its rear. This composition not only allowed for the retention of existing trees but also integrated them into the spatial narrative of the building.

The classrooms are strongly connected to the surroundings through large glazing, framing views of the wooded landscape like picture frames and creating a friendly, inspiring environment for learning and play. Special attention was given to protecting the root system of the most valuable oak; part of the new structure was designed as an overhanging volume, avoiding any disturbance to the delicate soil structure.