From the architect. The Kinder Monte Sinai encourages children’s creativity
through educational spaces designed to their size and comfort. The spaces
generate a greater sense of belonging and create a comfortable and safe
environment for the children.The new preschool building is an expansion of the
existing elementary, middle school, and high school. Because of the limited
campus space, the project is located on top of the student drop off and parking
area. It is distributed on 3 levels: the parking level, the first floor, and the
second floor.
In the parking level, besides the drop off and parking
area, an auditorium and gym was added for preschool only. In first level there
is the playground, main courtyard, library, and first floor of classrooms. This
level covers the parking area and is 36 feet above, offering many benefits such
as safety and good views for the classrooms.
The classrooms are placed
perpendicular along the main axis, alluding to the concept of stacked toy
blocks. In the first floor, between the classrooms, are small patios designated
for each classroom. Behind them are courtyards with plants and trees and stairs
that lead you to the second level. Since the classrooms on the second floor are
overlapped, there are terraces for each one.
The classroom units are 33
by 17 feet and 6 feet 10 inches in height designed to create a comfortable space
for the children. Inside the classrooms are a small kitchen, storage room, and
bathroom. Furniture is designed at the children’s height. There are 18
classrooms in total, 12 covered in precast panels, and 6 in colored laminated
glass.
The precast, being the best solution, was used to cover the outer
walls of the classrooms. The building’s orientation is south, receiving sunlight
during all hours of the day therefore the precast maintained a steady indoor
temperature without direct sunlight. Because of the limited construction site
and the restricted working hours, the precast facilitated construction. The
precast allowed the design of drippers, round windows placed at different
heights, and a white washed quality finish.
The long span to cover the parking on ground level was achieved with the vierendeel truss. Its rectangular unobstructed frame permits flexibility for the architectural design. Some of the classrooms, aligned perpendicular to the truss, are in cantilever. It was very important to attain a sustainable design for the project. The preschool, positioned facing south, receives direct sunlight during school hours, reducing energy consumption and maintaining comfortable temperatures inside and outside the classrooms. The position of the round windows on the precast panels allow for natural cross ventilation. Rainwater and sewage is collected and treated in the water treatment plant to be reused.www.gdvogue.com
