Little clients, big changes. Day nursery Malvína by No Architects

Description of project by No Architects

Malvína and Eda are exacting clients. Shaped by their one-year long lives, they can show a smile spread across just a few teeth or burst into tears without compromise. They are not interested in architecture. They are passionate about their mum and dad, but even the best of parents are required to join the adult world for a time. They leave their most precious ones in the care of smiling nannies in Malvína Day Nursery among other children between nine months and two years. But what can we offer little Malvína and Eda to make them contented?

Malvína prefers order – a quick goodbye kiss and let’s play! Eda hesitates for a moment but agrees. But what about their parents? They find farewells difficult. When mum and dad are stressed, Malvína and Eda worry about them too much. For this reason, we have installed windows where children, held in the arms of their nannies, can wave a last goodbye and their mums can continue without upset. Another advantage of these windows is the easy view into the bedroom and playroom where dads can rest assured their precious ones are not grieving their absence. Bending can cause troubles for grandmas and grandpas, and for this reason we have designed special steps that remove the need to bend—dressing up is now child’s play. In the changing room can be found a changing table for daddies to have some “fun and games”. While calm, adult company is helpful for Malvina and Eda, it is not enough. They expect more.

Adjustments for staff have been made. By shortening and streamlining operating activities, the nannies have more time for Eda and Malvina. The space is organised so that everything is at arm’s length, behind a single wall with many doors. This way, Malvína can check nannies through the doors if they are in view and have their full attention.

Malvína and Eda are also bon vivants. And we, professionals, know that only open kitchen areas are fashionable nowadays. Eda also wants to be a part of the food preparation process. Due to the fact that dining is seen as a collective experience, Eda and his closest companions are seated where they desire – right under a nanny’s nose, in the middle of the kitchen counter. His mum cannot offer him this luxury at home. And since Malvína likes to nibble in the middle of games out of snack time, a low kitchen counter is available, where she can get something whenever she wants.

Eda and Malvína accept no conventions. In case they need to use the innovation called toilet, unisex is only acknowledged. Children, carefully watched by the nannies through a window, rush back to their games and require nannies to be able to dart out any time, helping with pieces of clothing or with washing hands when needed.

While Malvína prefers doing wild performances on yellow mats, Eda appreciates creating and drawing – he makes abstract art exclusively, which is afterwards curated by his favourite art collector – his daddy. Eda, however, chooses different body positions for his creative process – he can be seen standing, then sitting or squatting. He also enjoys involving his friends who are different ages and heights. For these reasons, desks and chairs of three different heights are offered by us and can be furthermore freely combined.

Malvína and Eda are athletes and tourists primarily, thus we prepared an adventurous playing environment where they can climb up to the red rocky nest or disappear for research in the blue cave. A lot of small-scale toys for motor skills development are hidden all around the nursery, prepared to tease their intellectual needs. Lastly, despite their vitality, they enjoy having a nap in the private bedroom which, regardless of the nannies’ disapproval, can turn into a playground.

Eda also wants to be sure that the custom furniture, custom lighting and acoustics meet regulations. Malvína pays attention to recycling and if fire safety is on its highest level. They consider the interior is approved, and we can feel relieved—until the moment they set out to the garden and check the playground area.