Sjötorget Kindergarten | Rotstein Arkitekter

Rotstein Arkitekter has designed a kindergarten on the ground level of a new residential block in Stockholm. We envisioned a playful environment designed to encourage and inspire the creativity of the children. The entrance is situated at the center of the kindergarten, with an abundance of natural light and sight lines through the building. The entrance space flows into the two studios, each with two connecting group rooms. All group rooms have three windows facing the lane outside: one placed low, one high and one bigger than the others. These scattered windows offer the passerby views of the activities from the outside, thus revitalizing the street. Windows between group rooms open up sight lines within the kindergarten itself. The kindergarten is also a play with colors; yellow elements in the common areas and one specific color for each department. Many of the units were designed to serve multiple purposes. For example, the storage units are built into the walls as colored niches, serving also as caves and huts for the children. A sculptural staircase leads down to the workshop. The stairway becomes a place for parallel activities. It also functions as cabin, lookout tower, forest, cave and platform. When descending the stairs it widens, turning into an amphitheater like area. This is the perfect place for play during the day. A quieter and darker room has been created underneath the stairs: a secret hideout. Some of the interior design budget was earmarked for solutions with architectural qualities, specific for this space. Using built-in storage units and niches is space saving. Maximizing the room height makes a huge difference, especially when it comes to the acoustic environment. Sjötorget is a kindergarten created by Rotstein Arkitekter, as part of a new residential block built by the developer JM at Liljeholmskajen in Stockholm, and designed by the same architect.