polo dell'infanzia 0-6 "L'Abbraccio"

The 0-6 kindergarten hub represents an ambitious project, completed between 2023 and 2025, and a symbolic architectural landmark for the Municipality of Montese. This initiative demonstrates that even a small mountain village on the Apennine ridge can provide excellent facilities and services to its community. The complex is designed to accommodate 115 pupils aged 0 to 6, divided in two Kindergarten sections and three Preschool sections.
The architectural design of the childhood center follows the contours of the surrounding landscape, creating a self-contained and independent complex with a continuous wood facade oriented inward. This creates a safe playground and outdoor recreational space for children, while the indoor extends to the ground level. Wide hallways facilitate internal circulation while converging into a central space for physical activities, overlooking the inner courtyard through a large sliding glass opening. The section layout includes typical features, including a main area for teaching activity, a flexible resting space, and a toilet room with access from both environments.

Access to both school buildings is via a draining concrete pavement. The entrances are recessed from the facade, creating a sheltered area clad in wood to convey warmth upon entering. In the inside large glass windows fill the interior with sunlight, creating a pleasant and friendly atmosphere, that is protected from the external environment. The Preschool occupies the west wing of the building. The Kindergarten is located in the east wing, organized around a central space dedicated to psychomotor activities, play, and meetings with parents. This central area provides access to the two classrooms, care services, restrooms, and the dining space.

Details of the building were developed specifically for the little users of the kindergarten. Every window starts at 40 centimeters from the ground, allowing children’s view to the natural landscape during their growth. A drainage system cover all the perimeter of the building, giving a strip of separation from the terrain all around. Interior materials were selected for their natural finishes, mainly wood. Surfaces are painted in soft, pastel colors. These decisions create a safe and inviting learning environment, while also encouraging sensory perception through touch and vision.

The courtyard design creates an 'enclave-effect', surrounded by spruce wood slats varying in height between the building and the perimeter fence. This natural, warm, and welcoming space promotes exploration and interaction with nature. The overall project aims to foster children’s autonomy and curiosity by designing an architecture that embraces a central, protected space, allowing continuous observation through of all stages of children’s growth. ▼read more