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The Nursery in the Park is a sensitively-designed and placed building in the heart of an old park in the city of Zaragoza ^[5], Spain. Santiago Carroquino Arquitectos ^[6] focused on creating a preschool with lasting character that expresses playfulness yet minimally disrupts the surrounding natural environment. From the façade to the green roof to the preservation of indigenous trees, the kindergarten ^[7] blends the boundaries between nature and building while providing a safe, light-filled, and airy place for children to play and learn.

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The building’s beautiful façade is composed of a series of prefabricated translucent polycarbonate colored plates. The wall system fills the interior with diffused light and softens the exterior with a natural-toned verticality reminiscent of the surrounding trees ^[9]. The panels were built off-site to expedite construction.

An extensive green roof system ^[10] provides multiple benefits by maintaining the parks biodiversity, insulating the building, and acting as an acoustic buffer to the city. The roof also has embedded solar thermal panels ^[11] to help supplement heating.

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Multiple courtyards ^[13] and open passages blend the interior and exterior spaces, providing a nurturing environment for the children to explore. The interior has a highly adaptable wall system that can convert rooms from single to multiple uses. The walls feature a hardened glass wainscot that keeps the rooms hygienic and easy-to-clean, thus reducing cleaning chemicals. Novel round windows have hatches which control light and sound as while directing light ^[14] into the rooms.

The Architects explain that the project “shows all in a deep respect for the environment, as one of the teaching values to the children as new members of our society.” A powerful statement on the influence of sustainable building ^[15] in society.

+ Santiago Carroquino Arquitectos ^[6]

Via Archzine ^[16]