In the heart of Moravia, in the historic BEA Centre building in Olomouc, and in the converted ZET office space in the modern Nová Zbrojovka district of Brno, the first two Czech Maple Bear outposts – a kindergarten and a primary school – have been established. Behind their unique character is a holistic design, aiming to create an environment that is conducive to children’s exploration of the world. The attractive interior design was developed by architects from the SOA architekti studio.
In the Maple Bear Olomouc kindergarten, the classrooms have been arranged along the bright, glazed contour of the building, allowing natural light into every corner. In the central area, the classic corridors have disappeared and their role has been taken over by a multifunctional hall – the real heart of the nursery school. It is here that parents are welcomed by an interactive reception desk, while the children play in the internal playground with its soft poufs. Nearby, there is a mini-amphitheatre, ideal for joint performances, and a relaxation area with shelves full of colourful books and hidden toys that invite a moment of silence.
In the centre of this space stands a cylindrical meeting room – an architectural visual landmark that not only catches the eye, but also functions as an intimate workshop room. The individual education rooms have been given their own personalities: each is characterised by a different colour palette, furniture forms and original wall graphics, which refer to natural motifs and develop the imagination of the little ones. In this way, children learn through play and the interior design becomes an inspiring support for the educational process.
The raw character of the former ZET office building was adapted at Maple Bear Brno Primary School. The two-storey entrance space exudes an industrial feel with exposed steel beams floating overhead. The lobby has space for a reception area, a friendly welcome desk and a multifunctional library that provides a meeting point and educational exploration. Among the shelves of literature, pupils can browse through school goodies, uniform outfits or choose a corner for games and silent reading.
The realised library breaks the traditional formula of a reading room – it is a hybrid of exhibition area and learning space. Thanks to the flexible modular furnishings, the interior adapts to a variety of scenarios: from remote lessons, creative workshops to showcasing students’ talents. Planned storage and shelving at the reception desk help to keep things tidy and give the interior a clearly defined colour rhythm.
A consistent element of both establishments is the original graphics, created especially for Maple Bear Czech Republic. Each room features original illustrations that emphasise the identity of the location and combine the global character of the brand with the local context. Their forms – ranging from soft, curved shapes to geometric lines – fit in with universal standards on the one hand, while highlighting the uniqueness of the architecture on the other.
The realisation of these projects shows that modern education is more than rooms with desks and blackboards. It is a well-thought-out stage on which the child becomes the main actor, and every element of the interior is an invitation to further discovery. At Maple Bear Czech Republic, a space is built that brings out the curiosity in students, supports emotional development and encourages friendships – because it is here, in an atmosphere full of inspiration, that a lifelong love of learning is formed.
design: SOA architekti (Ondřej Laciga, Petra Valdman), www.s-o-a.cz
photos: Studio Flusser, www.studioflusser.com
Read also: Czech Republic | Education | School | Kindergarten | Interiors | Eclecticism | whiteMAD on Instagram
