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St Marks Kindergaten

St Marks Kindergaten

Utz-Sanby Architects completed this project in 2009. The brief was to provide an extension and new identity to unify a rather ad-hoc series of renovations completed during the life-time of the kindergarten. The new extension includes a multi-functional, covered outdoor play and circulation area, a new office, staff WC, up-dating the existing children's bathroom and resurfacing the existing play area.


The steel framed colonnade is intended to contrast with the rather austere and solid masonry church behind, which led to the vaulted roof form and the lightness of the materials used. The vaulted roof is made of translucent, cellular polycarbonate sheeting, allowing light to penetrate and be reflected into the classrooms behind, and also insulate against the summer sun's heat.


The steel structure is painted white and is rhythmic and playful and was designed to break down the scale of the church, which previously felt rather imposing. This contemporary "cloister" works on many different levels, improving aesthetics, scale and function and giving a new lease of life to the kindergaten.

Project credits

Project data

Project Year
2009
Category
Nurseries
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