Kindergarten in Dobříň

The land selected by the municipality of Dobříň (district of Litoměřice) for the construction of a kindergarten for 30 children is one of the most beautiful in the area. It is a gap right on the historic village square, overlooking the river and providing an appropriate area for a garden.

The basic vision for the building was its integration into the surroundings in symbiosis with the landscape and the village. The shape concept was entirely subjected to the historical context of the local folk architecture. The color and material solution stems from the perception of the spirit of the place, which reflects in the building's "earthiness." Abstractly, the building draws from the classic village house with a gable roof. Rustic elements are employed on the façade, which is enriched with figurative motifs of sculptural decoration referencing the adornment of traditional architecture associated with the area. The author is the sculptor and artist Jiří Vorel, who has a personal connection to the location.

The kindergarten in Dobříň is a return to the world of fairy tales, to the world of children. It respects their visions and wishes, resembling a "cottage," which, despite its crumbling appearance, provides harmony, warmth, and the possibility to play freely. The spatial concept of the interior layout maximally works with openness and distinguishes itself from the sterility typical of kindergartens in the Czech environment. A child can scribble on the wall and not be punished for it. They become the master of the space they can transform freely. There are no rules on how to handle it, only a framework whose atmosphere will be created by the users. Within this understanding, the kindergarten will continuously evolve and transform.

The kindergarten is surrounded by a garden with fruit trees and positioned parallel to the eastern boundary of the plot. It is a single-story building with a rectangular floor plan. The roof is a prominent architectural and identification element. From the north, it is a classic gable roof with a slope of 35°, while towards the south, the ridge slopes down gradually and approaches one wall of the building. The roof truss is wooden, and the structural arrangement responds to the span. About 8 meters from the northern gable, the slope changes abruptly, creating an opening for a window that basilically illuminates the children's living space with southern light. Where possible, the internal space is open under the truss. Above the remaining areas, the attic space is closed. In the truss area, a loft for sleeping (approximately 25 places) with a swing and a slide is planned, which will also serve as an escape route.

The building complies with the conditions for construction in a flood-prone area. This concept has been reflected both in the technical solution and the choice of materials, as well as in the interior concept. The structure is founded on base strips and footings made of plain concrete. Vertical external and internal load-bearing structures are made of ceramic blocks to withstand potential flooding. The internal non-load-bearing vertical structures are built from ceramic partition blocks. Openings in the vertical structures are chosen to either withstand flooding or to be easily replaceable. The roof covering is made of aluminum sheet in the color of copper.