Munich, Germany
“When we build for the little ones, we want them to be able to run around outside and feel the elements. I would also like to colonize the neighboring roofs, starting by connecting our building with the roof of the cafeteria and turning that into a giant meadow,” states Francis Kéré.
Described by Kéré Architecture as a vertical childcare center, the “Ingeborg Pohl Kinderoase an der TUM” is a new kindergarten building partially made of timber located in the center of the dense campus of Munich’s Technical University.
The project is being developed in partnership with Hermann Kaufmann + Partner, experts in wood construction based in Austria.
The center will be predominantly constructed using wood, adhering to local regulations and standards to ensure energy efficiency, thermal comfort, fire safety, and optimal acoustics.
The building will contain five floors, the building houses administrative offices on the ground level.
The middle three floors are dedicated to children’s facilities, organized by age groups.
Atop the structure, the fifth floor boasts a covered roof terrace named Himmelswiese, translating to “field of the heavens” in German, offering a sheltered outdoor area for children to play while enjoying panoramic views of Munich.
The design of the new daycare facility prioritizes minimizing its carbon footprint while maintaining a superior level of comfort.
To achieve this goal, the center will primarily utilize timber construction and incorporate sustainable materials throughout its structure.
Project: Ingeborg Pohl Kinderoase an der TUM
Architects: Kéré Architecture
Lead Architect: Francis Kéré
Collaborators: Hermann Kaufmann + Partner GmbH
Construction Management: GAPP GmbH
Client: Technical University of Munich
Renderings: Kéré Architecture
