Looping knowledge: Kindergarten fosters curiosity in Lithuania

Creative and insightful design of spaces positively impacts the health and well-being of its occupants. This is a well-known and accepted fact. The intelligent design of learning environments takes this further and holds significance in shaping the cerebral growth of its occupants. This is especially true for young children with still developing minds. Lithuania-based NG architects understood this need for thoughtful and purposeful design and implemented it in the Kindergarten in Vilnius.

Situated in the region of Vilnius in Lithuania, the school is an addition to the larger "Uogu slenis" development. It is a private kindergarten surrounded by the beauty of the Baltic Forest and provides a unique learning environment for the children. The spaces focus on fostering curiosity and creativity along with a deep connection with nature.

The form of the building grows along its circumferential shell around the central courtyard. It grows in height and volume from one end to the other, enclosing the central courtyard to convert it into a safe play area for the children. The dynamic form of the kindergarten ties it together to the other educational and public buildings in the development. They also share the aesthetics of the external façade with its dark cladding that creates a striking contrast against the natural surroundings the development is set in. These buildings together form the heart of the development. Narrow and tall windows rise from the floor, allowing unobstructed views of the stunning surroundings, enabling the children to connect with nature.

In addition to being a playground, the inner courtyard also acts as the main point of ingress to the kindergarten. The simple hexagonal space is meticulously designed to emulate a feeling of safety, while still stimulating the children to play. Crafted from locally sourced materials, the wooden floor is comfortable and soft for the children to walk and play on. Sunshades protect the young occupants from direct harsh sunlight, creating a space that is also thermally comfortable.

The kindergarten design has seven classrooms totalling about 557 sqm. Among the seven classrooms, two are designated for small children and are kept isolated from the other five with separate entrances. This particular design detail ensures privacy and a quiet learning environment for all children.

The interior design of the classrooms is minimal. Spaces are largely kept uncluttered with minimal furniture which has natural wood finishes. The spaces are bathed in natural light and feature soft furnishings in largely neutral colours. A few potted plants, pieces of art, and a small percentage of coloured chairs provide visual relief with some much-needed pops of colour. The predominantly bare interiors also presumably act as canvases for the occupants of the space, where they can populate it with personal items, thus bringing more life into the space.

The building is clearly designed to be compassionate towards its young occupants. However, it is also designed to be considerate towards the environment. This is reflected in the design and the materials chosen by the architects. The use of locally sourced wood for the floor emphasises the idea of sustainability while promoting and supporting the local economy.

The larger Uogu slenis development itself, which is home to the kindergarten, spans an impressive 44 hectares. It is composed of 200 residential units and five public units. The inclusion of the kindergarten transforms the Uogu slenis development from being yet another housing development to a holistic blend of residential and educational spaces, enriching the overall community experience of the area.

The kindergarten, and by extension the Uogu slenis development, is an example of what well-designed and comfortable spaces can do for the mental health and well-being of its occupants while amplifying the cerebral development of its younger users. The kindergarten itself fosters creativity with its ample and comfortable interiors and curiosity with its windows looking out into the Baltic Forests.

Purposeful architecture and interior design can be used to create environments that foster cognitive development and nurture young minds. Thoughtfully planned layouts paired with intelligent use of colour and form stimulates curiosity and creativity. The incorporation of ample natural light and integration of the natural surroundings into the design promotes overall well-being and enhanced concentration. Furthermore, the clever integration of private and interactive spaces leads to a strong foundation for growth and learning. NG architects have successfully incorporated these features to create a genuinely nurturing and comfortable space of learning.

Project Details

Name: Kindergarten in Vilnius
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
Year of completion: 2023
Design Firm: NG Architects
Design Team: Ignas Vengalis, Filippo Erasti, Žilvinas Stasiulevičius
Project Developer: Mano Sala
Landscape Architect: Dovilė Ivanauskienė
Interior Architect: Justyna Molis
Photographer: Norbert Tukaj