Dorte Mandrup Architects - Daycare Center

Dorte Mandrup Architects
Daycare Center
Copenhagen, Denmark

A setting where children feel connected.

Photo: Jens Lindhe

The Daycare Center is located at the edge of an residential neighborhood where the homogeneous character of the neighborhood has disintegrated.
The long and narrow site, a green oasis in an otherwise dense part of Copenhagen, is bordered by a low apartment building to the east, and high density apartment blocks to the south.

To maximize the exposure to the sun Mandrup placed the building along the eastern edge of the site, leaving the south and west facing areas for outdoor terraces.
A group of old linden trees keep the bottom half of the garden shaded in the summer.

Photo: arcspace

Photo: Jens Lindhe

The project consists of two main elements, the Prism and the Frame, connected by an intermediate building.
The Prism is a precise, yet transparent, boundary to the garden. The Frame is a solid demarcation between the controlled interior and the uncontrolled garden.

photo: arcspace

The Prism shape was decided on to achieve the minimum amount of shading from the adjacent apartment blocks and, at the same time, create interesting outdoor areas. The construction consists of two independent elements, the exterior rain shield, the roof, and the interior climate shield, the objects.

Photo: arcspace

The roof of the Frame is covered with tall grass that, in the course of time, will grow into a dense jungle. An exerior staircase, an incission in the Prism, and a five meter wide crawling staircase lead to the Prism terrace and through the “jungle” to the opposite staircase leading back into the garden.

Photo: arcspace

Photo: Jens Lindhe

Photo: arcspace

The centers sleeping hall, and covered play areas are located in the unheated roof construction of the Prism.

Photo: Jens Lindhe

Designed for flexibility the group rooms, placed side by side, can be joined by opening the sliding doors that separates them.
To give the maximum spacial variety the group rooms have both a low ceiling area, with a cave, and a double height area with a loft. The rooms open up to the western terrace running the length of the building.

Photo: Jens Lindhe

The Frame contains the centers shared facilities; the communal room, the kitchen, the administration, and staff rooms. The double-height communal room is connected to the south facing terrace and the north facing kitchen. Staff rooms and the director’s office on the first floor.
The playground, with its swings and hammocks, was designed to give the children the choice of tranquility or action without disturbing each other.
The existing hazel bushes and cherry trees have been preserved to create hiding places.

Drawing courtesy Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter
Ground Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter
First Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter
Second Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter
Cross Section

Area: 1,000 square meters
Completed: 2004

Client: City of Copenhagen
Architect: Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter ApS
Landscape Architects: Marianne Levinsen
Engineer: Moe & Broedsgaard A/S

Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter arcspace features

May 15, 2006





				Features
		Dorte Mandrup Architects Daycare Center Copenhagen, Denmark A setting where children feel connected. Photo: Jens Lindhe The Daycare Center is located at the edge of an residential neighborhood where the homogeneous character of the neighborhood has disintegrated. The long and narrow site, a green oasis in an otherwise dense part of Copenhagen, is bordered by a low apartment building to the east, and high density apartment blocks to the south. To maximize the exposure to the sun Mandrup placed the building along the eastern edge of the site, leaving the south and west facing areas for outdoor terraces. A group of old linden trees keep the bottom half of the garden shaded in the summer. Photo: arcspace Photo: Jens Lindhe The project consists of two main elements, the Prism and the Frame, connected by an intermediate building. The Prism is a precise, yet transparent, boundary to the garden. The Frame is a solid demarcation between the controlled interior and the uncontrolled garden. photo: arcspace The Prism shape was decided on to achieve the minimum amount of shading from the adjacent apartment blocks and, at the same time, create interesting outdoor areas. The construction consists of two independent elements, the exterior rain shield, the roof, and the interior climate shield, the objects. Photo: arcspace The roof of the Frame is covered with tall grass that, in the course of time, will grow into a dense jungle. An exerior staircase, an incission in the Prism, and a five meter wide crawling staircase lead to the Prism terrace and through the “jungle” to the opposite staircase leading back into the garden. Photo: arcspace Photo: Jens Lindhe Photo: arcspace The centers sleeping hall, and covered play areas are located in the unheated roof construction of the Prism. Photo: Jens Lindhe Designed for flexibility the group rooms, placed side by side, can be joined by opening the sliding doors that separates them. To give the maximum spacial variety the group rooms have both a low ceiling area, with a cave, and a double height area with a loft. The rooms open up to the western terrace running the length of the building. Photo: Jens Lindhe The Frame contains the centers shared facilities; the communal room, the kitchen, the administration, and staff rooms. The double-height communal room is connected to the south facing terrace and the north facing kitchen. Staff rooms and the director’s office on the first floor. The playground, with its swings and hammocks, was designed to give the children the choice of tranquility or action without disturbing each other. The existing hazel bushes and cherry trees have been preserved to create hiding places. Drawing courtesy Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter Ground Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter First Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter Second Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter Cross Section Area: 1,000 square meters Completed: 2004 Client: City of Copenhagen Architect: Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter ApS Landscape Architects: Marianne Levinsen Engineer: Moe & Broedsgaard A/S Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter arcspace features May 15, 2006