The kindergarten in Mayenne by Topos Architecture

In Mayenne, in the northwest of France, a simple wooden structure for a nursery school for ninety children aged two and a half months to four years was created at the beginning of this year. The authors of the winning design from 2009 are the Nantes-based office Topos Architecture, which aimed for a "calm and contemporary design." The nursery, connected to the kindergarten, is located on the site of an old railway embankment between the historic center and the newly developing train station district. The wooden character of the building is intended to evoke a "natural and regional impression" in children, parents, and caregivers. The single-storey structure covers 1300m² and offers an additional 800m² of outdoor garden enclosed by a 1.5m high wooden fence. The slightly sloping roof features openings that allow ample natural light to enter the inner courtyards. The total cost of building the nursery was around 2.5 million euros.