Nordic Office of Architecture

SavannenNursery

SavannenNursery
© Imarken
SavannenNursery
 © Imarken

Savannen Nursery

Nordic Office of Architecture

CLIENTS
Frederikssund Municipality

MANUFACTURERS
Autodesk, Lunawood, Troldtekt, Gerflor, Rationel, Ag Gulve, Adobe, Phønix Tag, Trimble Navigation

LANDSCAPE
Vega Landskab

CONSULTANTS
Marie Martinussen

ENGINEERING
Hundsbaek&henriksen

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Sofie Peschardt

DESIGN TEAM
Nordic – Office of Architecture

AREA
912 m²

YEAR
2019

LOCATION
Skibby, Denmark

CATAGORY
Educational Architecture, Day Care

SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel
SavannenNursery
© Imarken

Text description provided by architect.

The design of Savannen Nursery is based on a desire to create optimal spaces for children’s development in downscaled and home-like surroundings.

The design is very similar to the archetypal Danish house with pitched roof, windows and a door as imagined by a child and defines a composition that is far less institutional.

SavannenNursery
© Imarken
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel

Further downscaling was achieved by partitioning the building into small units resulting in a cluster structure with niches for varied types of recreation and play zones.

The small units provide overview and structure – a safe and manageable environment for all children, especially emotionally sensitive children.

The design and the materials have been chosen to minimize the project’s carbon footprint and to give the nursery a green, sustainable profile.

SavannenNursery
© Imarken
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel

The implementation of integrated sustainable solutions is based on a holistic approach to architecture. We believe that good architecture is about working in a visionary and responsible way - always based on context and strong local anchoring.

The detailing and the materials are always carefully chosen for their ability to patinate and stand the test of time.

At Savannen Nursery the sustainable, durable and local timber demands minimal maintenance and create a warm, friendly and tactile experience for the children. Each building has a different paneling, providing each space with a unique identity.

SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel

The name, Savannen (“savannah”) is inspired by its context on the open farmland at the edge of the village, Skibby. The exterior spaces become a seamless extension of the interior, encouraging children out into the fresh air.

The playground is designed for both play, reflection and learning, and the spaces are divided into different zones according to the context.

SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel

The terraces closest to the building — and the spaces formed between the clustered volumes – are safe and home-like.

Further away from the building, play becomes more of an adventure. Here the landscape is wilder — like an open field or savannah — and there is space to hide, to be invisible.

SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel
SavannenNursery
© Kirstine Mengel

A fence separates the site from the forest, although against this, the structure of the fence is almost invisible, the trees becoming the natural perimeter of the site.


SavannenNursery
© Imarken
SavannenNursery
© Imarken
SavannenNursery
© Imarken
SavannenNursery
© Imarken


SavannenNursery
West Elevation
SavannenNursery
North Elevation


SavannenNursery
West Section
SavannenNursery
South Section


SavannenNursery
Axonometric Diagram


SavannenNursery
Plan
SavannenNursery
Site Plan
SavannenNursery
Exploded Axonometric View

Nordic Office of Architecture
T +47 22 930900 M +47 920 62885
Nordic Office of Architecture
Kongens gate 21, 0153 Oslo, Norway