Both the form and the materials chosen by XTOPIX architekti and Simona Ledvinková seek to subtly and respectfully integrate the building into its context. Far from imposing itself, the low, compact, and elongated volume adapts to the natural slope of the land, while the charred pine plank cladding blends seamlessly with the bark of the surrounding mature trees.
The program is organized into two functional areas: children's spaces and service areas. On the ground floor, four classrooms are arranged around shared outdoor atriums that serve as semi-covered entrances. On the upper floor, a spacious and bright multipurpose room hosts physical activities and community gatherings. Through generous windows, all interior spaces maintain a constant visual and spatial connection with the landscape.
Fulnek Kindergarten by XTOPIX architekti + Simona Ledvinková. Photograph by Ondřej Tylčer.
In contrast to the fast pace of contemporary life, the design presents itself as a warm refuge for play: nestled among lush vegetation, a playful space that invites free and carefree exploration before embarking on the path to independence and responsibility.
Project description by XTOPIX architekti + Simona Ledvinková
The new kindergarten in Fulnek is nestled into the northern part of its plot, set within an expansive garden. It boasts both generous space and open views—its entire southern façade opens toward the landscape and frames distant vistas of the château, the town’s commanding landmark, majestically seated on the opposite hill.
The building offers a sanctuary for play in the midst of a fast-paced world—a final haven of carefree exploration before the journey into school, work, and responsibility begins.
The design, selected through an architectural competition, includes not only the new building itself but also new infrastructure connections and careful integration into Fulnek’s designated heritage conservation zone.
Set gently into the slope and immersed in the existing natural scenery, the building enters the site quietly and respectfully. It follows the terrain, keeping the garden clearly in view—full of secrets and wild beauty. The façade, clad in charred pine planks, blends into its wooded surroundings, fading in and out of sight behind mature trees. Its low profile is welcoming—scaled to the world of children and harmonious with its context.
The compact volume is carved by two southern courtyards (atria), shaped by the natural slope of the land—“inlets” where the garden enters the building and the building opens into the garden. This configuration ensures that every classroom maintains direct access to the outdoors, even within the two-storey structure.
The building’s elongated form is organized into two functional zones: children’s spaces and service areas. The kindergarten is horizontally connected by a corridor and vertically by a central staircase hall. Four classrooms are located on the ground floor, paired around shared outdoor atria, which also function as semi-sheltered entrances. Through these glazed vestibules—visually connected to the classrooms—children move into their individual cloakrooms, gradually transitioning from public space into their familiar environment.
Upstairs, a large, light-filled multi-purpose room serves for physical activity and community gatherings. From here, panoramic views of Fulnek’s historic centre and château are further enhanced by an adjacent terrace with an extensive green roof, creating a spatial and visual connection to the surrounding landscape.
Inside the classrooms, space is treated like a building block—a modular system dividing the open plan into distinct activity zones. This concept is driven by a recurring square motif, expressed at multiple scales: from ceiling joists and window frames to acoustic panels, modular furniture, movable storage boxes, and even LEGO bricks. Each classroom is assigned a unique color, supporting intuitive navigation for the children. This color is reflected in cloakrooms, washrooms, and food serving areas, while the classrooms themselves remain calm and neutral, defined by white tones, birch plywood, and polished concrete.
During construction, a collaborative graphic design workshop with the children resulted in a custom “kindergarten font,” which now serves as the building’s signage and wayfinding system. The initiative aimed to actively involve the children in the creation of their future environment, deepening their sense of belonging and engagement. The workshop concluded a week-long educational project in cooperation with architects, graphic designer Jakub Wdowka (Artbureau), type designer Marian Misiak (Threedotstype), and street artist Len.
Structure and Materials
Due to challenging hydrogeological conditions, the building is founded on a reinforced concrete grid supported by large-diameter piles. At the junction of the basement and non-basement parts, watertight concrete with integrated waterproofing was used to resist pressurized groundwater.
The load-bearing walls above ground are made of 300 mm-thick precision ceramic blocks, while the subgrade structure consists of cast-in-place reinforced concrete. Internal load-bearing and partition walls are constructed using thermally efficient blocks. The elevator shaft is made of permanent formwork with reinforcement. Monolithic reinforced concrete slabs are complemented by exposed ribbed concrete ceilings with Heraklith acoustic panels. The roof is a single-layer monolithic RC structure with thermal insulation and extensive green roof layering. The façade combines contact insulation with mineral wool and a ventilated timber cladding made of thermally treated pine (thermowood). Large glazed openings feature aluminium-framed windows with integrated exterior blinds. These are complemented by high-performance wooden windows by Slavona.
Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Design
The kindergarten is an energy-efficient building (Class A), designed in line with principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Heating is provided via low-temperature underfloor systems powered by a 40 kW air-to-water heat pump, which also supports cooling and mechanical ventilation. Indoor air quality is maintained through a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, minimizing energy loss. Where natural ventilation is not feasible (e.g., kitchens, WC, bathrooms), forced extraction is applied. The building does not rely on gas and is fully powered by renewable energy sources.
To manage stormwater runoff, two retention tanks with a total capacity of 24 m³ have been integrated, with overflow directed into the public rainwater drainage system (direct infiltration was not possible). The building’s layout was designed to preserve existing mature trees, maintaining the natural character of the site. Durable materials, such as thermally modified pine used for façade cladding, contribute to the longevity and resilience of the structure.
