丨德国慕尼黑

Kéré Architecture breaks ground on new timber childcare center at the Technical University of Munich

Kéré Architecture

has broken ground on a new all-wood childcare facility at the

Technical University Munich

(TUM). The design of the Ingeborg Pohl Kinderoase an der TUM is 700 square meters (7,500 square feet) in total and will hold space for 60 children in service to faculty members and their families.

The building, made possible through a donation from philanthropist Ingeborg Pohl, is defined by its playful interior, which incorporates a variety of scales and unique circulatory features, such as slides that connect each of its five floors.

Administrative suites are placed at the ground level, with three floors dedicated to children and divided by age group. A green roof play area called the Himmelswiese (German for “field of the heavens”) completes the program above. The firm has emphasized its use of timber throughout is meant to “take the sustainability of the building to the extreme.”

Francis Kéré

says: “When we build for the little ones, we want them to be able to run around outside and feel the elements. I would also like to colonize the neighboring roofs, starting by connecting our building with the roof of the cafeteria and turning that into a giant meadow.”

The Pritzker winner’s latest design, created in collaboration with Austrian firm Hermann Kaufmann + Partner, is expected to be ready in 2025.