Gold Winner of the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026

Stepping stones

Architecture

Educational & Campus Design

Concept / Professional Category

Architect / Designer:

akvk+partners

Studio:

akvk+partners

Design Team:

akvk+partners

Core Concept
The fundamental idea of the project is to create a kindergarten as an holistic ecosystem for development, where the landscape, the building itself, and the interior become active educational tools. By seamlessly integrating the structure into a complex topography, the design moves away from traditional layouts. The spatial organization follows a “school-like” principle, combining a compact block of dedicated group classrooms with an autonomous module for public and social functions.

Site Zoning and Landscaping
The kindergarten grounds and landscaping elements are sculpted as a cascade of terraces that follow the natural slope of the site. This strategy ensures a low-impact footprint, minimizing soil disturbance and preserving the authentic character of the land. Connectivity is a priority, with each terrace accessible from multiple points within the residential complex. The upper Terrace houses the main entrance, playgrounds for younger age groups, and utility areas. The lower Terrace is dedicated to active sports and areas for older children, featuring a football pitch with an amphitheater. This creates a “mini-stadium” effect, ideal for community events and celebrations.
The terraces are separated by a retaining wall that doubles as an interactive play element. Zig-zagging ramps ensure a barrier-free environment for everyone, turning movement between levels into an engaging game. To foster sensory development and fine motor skills, natural materials such as wood, wood chips, sand, and boulders are used instead of plastic.

Architectural Concept: “The Terraced Landscape”
The defining architectural feature is the building’s cascading form. Due to the elevation changes and terracing, the architecture fits organically into the terrain. The facade combines light porcelain stoneware panels with a vertical rhythm of green metal louvers (lamellas) to create a “nature-inspired” look. The metal panels feature varying profile spacing, adding visual diversity and a dynamic play of shadows. This sophisticated palette is designed to cultivate aesthetic taste from an early age.

Interior: “A House Within a House”
The heart of the interior is a soaring atrium bathed in natural light, where sculptural spherical pendants enhance the sense of volume and freedom. Walls are reimagined as interactive surfaces rather than mere partitions, incorporating chalkboards, tactile labyrinths, cozy niches for privacy, and integrated storage systems. The use of light wood and acoustic ceiling panels ensures a “home-like” atmosphere and superior acoustics, eliminating the echoes and noise that often fatigue children.

Conclusion
This project embodies the latest global trends in human-centric educational architecture. It is a design where every element — from the slope of the hill to the texture of the walls — is dedicated to supporting the physical comfort and personal growth of the child.

akvk+partners

akvk+partners is an interdisciplinary team of architects, researchers and engineers. We create unique architectural environments at the intersection of form-making and the programming of life patterns, always keeping people at the center of our approach.

For us, every project is an opportunity to create something meaningful and distinctive—a dialogue with the context of a place and its future. By combining a deep passion for architecture with strong team engagement, we develop solutions where the interests of the client, the city and the user remain in balance.

Our experience ranges from building design to master planning and urban development strategies. We aim to create cohesive and sustainable architectural environments that support the formation of vibrant communities.