A new kindergarten has been developed in Armavir, Armenia, located next to the famous Mount Ararat. The building was designed by Spanish studio Estudio Campo Baeza. The building is part of a larger educational establishment being developed by the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF). The kindergarten is located at the entrance to the campus and has been planned as a space that provides children with a safe, calm and comfortable environment for their development.
According to the biblical account, Noah built the Ark to protect himself from the Flood. After forty days of cataclysmic events, the mighty boat settled on Mount Ararat, which today lies on Turkish territory near the border with Armenia and Iran. It was there that Noah, by making a new covenant with God, began a new chapter in the history of mankind.
The design of the new building was chosen through an international architectural competition, with the winning proposal from a team led by Alberto Campo Baeza. The authors of the concept chosen by the jury took as their motto a quotation from the Book of Psalms: “sub umbra alarum tuarum protege nos” (“in the shadow of Thy wings shield us”). The idea of protecting the youngest generation, also alluding to the biblical story from the Book of Genesis, is reflected here in the architectural form of the building.
The single-storey structure with a floor area of 250 square metres was designed on a square plan. Rhythmically arranged raw concrete pillars support the flat and also concrete roof, creating a space reminiscent of a covered slab. The overall design is complemented by white walls and large glazing, which provide natural light to the interior and an excellent view of the grounds adjacent to the facility. The new kindergarten has been designed with simplicity, functionality and economy of expression in mind. The architects announce that in the future their composition will be complemented by a white wall surrounding the building.
The design is quite unusual for an institution in the education system. It is characterised by extremely restrained aesthetics and a very balanced form. The architecture of the building is primarily intended to serve its users, providing the right conditions for learning, playing and taking the first steps in life.
Design: Estudio Campo Baeza
Construction: 2024
Area: 250 square metres
Location: Armavir, Armenia
Photography: Javier Callejas
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