estrada reichen + malte k combine kindergarten with an underground car park in switzerland

in würenlingen, switzerland, zurich-based architectural firms estrada reichen and malte k have taken on the unusual task of combining a kindergarten with a public underground car park, resulting in a hybrid building that meets the different requirements of both programs. the single-story kindergarten comprises an unconventional structure, whose floor plan is based on the minimum width of 18 meters required for an efficient layout of the underground car park.

all images by lukas murer

estrada reichen architekten and malte k architekten have topped the kindergarten, whose unassuming aesthetics seem to reflect the car park situated beneath it, with a free-spanning roof, in order to minimize the loads on the ceiling slab of the parking structure. the majority of all vertical loads is distributed to the exterior facades through prestressed concrete beams and an extensive concrete slab, which follows the shape of the exterior hip roof. the concise roof structure is complete with linear skylights, which bring plenty of natural light within the atmospheric, tentlike spaces of the interior.

the kindergarten is divided into three smaller compartments through the concrete beams and the wooden, non-load-bearing, built-in structures, which are connected via large sliding doors. circular openings in the concrete beams allow for visual connections between the main spaces and the cozy, light-filled mezzanine hide-outs between the beams.