Ny Rosborg, Nordholmen, Vejle
2022 - 2023
The world’s most wonderful daycare
A clear vision - resilience at a child's level
In collaboration with Vejle Municipality, Vandkunsten has developed a realization and expansion plan for a new daycare center in the new district in Vejle, Ny Rosborg. The project builds on an existing vision and development plan for Ny Rosborg and Nordholmen and interacts with the other sub-areas of Nordholmen.
We have emphasized that the daycare center should actively contribute to the surrounding area, that it can create both visual and functional synergies with the rest of the city in terms of play, and that the project can support the municipality’s visions for play landscapes and a ‘Sustainable Development Goals Children’s Center.’ There should not only be room for traditional, fenced playgrounds with sandpits and swings; nature and water should also be available for play and learning.
The task has included the determination of principles and characteristics for:
- Disposition of buildings on the site, including discussion of building typology, spacing, and communities.
- Access conditions – and connection with the other sub-areas
- Green areas – including openness to the surroundings, play areas, cultivation areas, stormwater management, etc.
- Taking care of the overall architectural and structural principles of the building.
- Sustainable initiatives in both landscape and buildings.
Main approach - Part of something bigger
Børn formes af den indsigt og forståelse af sammenhænge, som de bliver præsenteret for – i deres nære hverdag starter denne indsigt typisk i daginstitutionen.
I projektet er der arbejdet med Verdensmålene - en global fælles dagsorden, der lægger op til en helhedstænkning, hvor samfunds- og medansvar er grundlæggende.
Furthermore, the vision has been to create a daycare center where a sustainable agenda is translated into a down-to-earth daily life for the children - 'Carry the world wisely'.
The goal of the project has been to provide children with a playful developmental framework that is reflected in actions and involvement, and weaves a nurturing childhood into an understanding that change for future generations begins with the way we create a developmental space for children. It has also been a goal that this should be reflected in an educational environment that gives children insight and inspires an understanding of courses of action.
We therefore focused on the sustainable individual and on the competencies that the sustainable individual needs to develop in order to contribute positively to a community-oriented society.
The daycare center in Ny Rosborg will become part of many different communities in the area:
- Vejle by and Vejle Ådal - the strong community and the area's history
- The surrounding landscape with room to move
-The playground
A down-to-earth daycare
We have designed the daycare as a circular building. It is 1,387 m² and varies in height from 1 to 2 stories. The daycare will serve as the gateway to Ny Rosborg with direct access from the neighborhood square, where a centrally located entrance to the building allows for distribution in different directions. In addition, there are several smaller secondary entrances. All group rooms are located on the ground floor and have direct access to the outdoor terrain. The administration is located on the first floor. The daycare is designed with the possibility of enclosed play areas, differentiated outdoor spaces, and the option for a rooftop terrace all the way around.
Arrival from Kvarterspladsen
Communities that connect to the area
The vision is to create a multifunctional building that is open to children, parents, and local residents, even outside the daycare’s opening hours. A large part of the process has therefore been an exploration of the possibilities for communities and functions that can be shared between the institution and the surrounding area. We have designed and developed the following sub-functions:
‘Vindens tårn’ – a publicly accessible lookout tower with a connection to Kvarterspladsen.
The rooftop terrace – a walk on the roof, which is publicly accessible via the observation tower.
‘Verdensrummet’ – a studio located on the first floor, accessible from the rooftop terrace.
The playground – an open recreational area connected to the bicycle and path systems.
The sky room
The sky room is an enclosed inner play area located at the center of the circular area, offering shelter, light, and special spaciousness. We envision a shade-giving tree with a circular bench, a shared sun terrace, and a stage. A well-placed communal fire pit surrounded by a wild herb garden.
…perhaps a tent cover could create space for communal events.
A treehouse on stilts - on the edge of the landscape
We have designed a simple facade geometry consisting of modules, based on generally reusable materials, simple timber constructions, and with a focus on long durability.
The circular shape is emphasized by installing a slatted facade in heat-treated spruce. The facade will thus appear varied in rhythm and transparency all the way around the house, depending on the function of the room behind it. In nurseries and bathrooms, it will appear closed, while in group and common rooms it will have a more transparent expression.
To the south and west, we propose supplementing with movable wooden shutters, also made of heat-treated pine. Primarily serving as sun protection, but also contributing to a dynamic facade with opportunities for variation for the spacious interior functions.
Landscape space - elements as a theme
The site plan relates to the surrounding interfaces in relation to the spatial program of the daycare center. This applies to the arrival/neighborhood square, the main street, and the sloping landscape to the south and west. For clarity, we have chosen to divide the plan into the following themes:
The arrival area as a connection to Kvarterspladsen via the ‘Tower of Wind’ with public access to the rooftop terrace, the World Room, and the Sky Room, as well as the main entrance to the institution.
The sky space is an enclosed inner play area located in the center of the circular layout, offering shelter, light, and a special sense of spaciousness. We imagine a shade-giving tree with a circular bench, a shared sun terrace, and a stage. A well-placed communal campfire surrounded by a wild herb garden. Perhaps a tent covering could create space for communal events.
The toddler area/’The Meadow’ is designed for quiet play in the shade for the youngest children, with canopies and sand play, bordered by seating and cozy corners.
We imagine the area for older children/’The Mountain’ being built up with a hill/earth play and swings, as well as elements to challenge motor skills and balance. A moon cart track could serve as a connecting feature. We see the area being bordered by an outdoor kitchen and play sheds for storing tricycles and equipment, as well as berry bushes and fruit trees.
Poetic boundaries
We want to move away from the traditional delineation of the play area with steel fences. Instead, we envision, as much as possible, natural boundaries in the form of evergreen hedges, berry bushes, and trees, as well as the slope's potential with site-specific species. To get a sense of visibility through areas where it is relevant, we also suggest willow weaving, stumps, and split-rail fences, for example at entrances and bicycle parking. In addition, wooden structures with pergolas, raised beds, and climbing plants can serve as boundaries that can 'hide' benches, sheltered corners, sunny spots, and play dens.
Resource consumption at child level
As part of the daycare center’s scope, we have suggested establishing waste sorting on multiple levels and as an integrated part of everyday life in the institution… also architecturally!
The concept is to show the outside world that ‘here on site, we put in the effort, and we are proud of it.’ In this way, waste sorting takes a central role in developing a culture/behavior in everyday life that is inclusive and focuses on cultivating values that are not solely based on material consumption. The impact should not only be measured by this single project but also by its ability to inspire other communities.
Recycling plays an educational role
We have proposed that the waste sorting area consists of an elongated shed, which focuses on opportunities for participation and exposure – sheltered and covered – and which can be accessed both from the outside and the inside. The shed contains spaces for both refuse, waste sorting for large and small items, a ‘swap shop’ – a parents’ shed focused on the reuse of clothes, toys, etc. – and ‘share with your friend.’ Composting areas, herb gardens, raised beds, and planter boxes integrate into the outer appearance facing Bygaden and alternate between benches, fencing, and tomato and bean plants.
Projektfakta
Bygningsdata
Project_name: Daycare in Ny Rosborg
Category:Culture & Institutions
Client: Vejle Kommune
Location: Ny Rosborg, Nordholmen, Vejle
Gross_area: 1387 m²
Date: 2022 - 2023
Status: Completed after Dispositionsforslag
Opgaven
Program: Daycare center
Activity: Nybyggeri
contact: Rikke Møller Andersen, rma@vandkunst.dk
Contact_group:Rikke Møller Andersen, Kristian Martinsen
Rådgiverteam
Architect: Tegnestuen Vandkunsten
Landscape: Tegnestuen Vandkunsten
Engineer: Artelia A/S