Forfatterhuset Kindergarten

In 2012 COBE, together with PK3 landscape architects and engineers, won the competition for Forfatterhuset kindergarten in Copenhagen. The building comprises five small houses and a unique playground, wrapped in vertical-line masonry cladding with green roof gardens; the kindergarten opened in July 2014. COBE founder Dan Stubbergaard said that with this project the studio wanted to create a world-class daycare center, a place offering the best environment for children as they grow, fostering learning and creativity. Located in a historic Copenhagen district of former sanatoria and senior housing, the studio paid close attention to continuity between the historic area and the new building. Many people once lived here; now the district is where children grow and begin their lives. It is a sensitive artistic addition of new to old in a historic area: first the team understood the area's character, then strengthened it while creating something new in contrast. Forfatterhuset references surrounding traditional red-brick buildings in color and material, blending with the existing brick houses. Beyond the building envelope, the playground facade is a fence, and the roof garden is planted above.