Šmartno Timeshare Kindergarten

Brief Overview of the Project

The Šmartno Timeshare Kindergarten, located in Šmartno pri Slovenj Gradcu, Slovenia, is a unique educational space designed by Arhitektura Jure Kotnik. The kindergarten was conceptualized to foster interaction, peer learning, and self-learning. With an open floor plan, the design merges traditionally underutilized spaces like wardrobes, corridors, and stairs into a singular learning landscape combined with playrooms. The result is a vast 700 m2 play area that can be created by opening the fully-glazed inner walls of the playrooms.

Alignment with Montessori, Steiner, or Reggio Principles

The design of the Šmartno Timeshare Kindergarten resonates with the Montessori, Steiner, and Reggio principles in several ways:

1. Self-directed Learning: Children spend an average of two to three hours daily choosing their activities and companions, mirroring the Montessori emphasis on self-directed learning.
2. Diverse Learning Environments: Each playroom offers different play equipment and learning environments, ranging from science to music, art, sports, and general play. This diversity aligns with the Reggio Emilia approach, which values the environment as the third teacher.
3. Interaction with Nature: The kindergarten’s playground, herb, and berry garden, where children participate in growing food, align with the Steiner principle of connecting children with nature.

Facilitation of Learning Through Design

The kindergarten’s design is instrumental in promoting learning:

1. Variety of Playrooms: Different playrooms cater to various interests, from science to art, ensuring children are exposed to diverse learning experiences.
2. Activity Corners: Over 65 activity corners allow children to choose based on their interests, promoting self-directed learning.
3. Central Multi-purpose Area: The core of the building features multifunctional rainbow-colored stairs that help children learn colors and numbers. The side walls, which are blackboards, serve as canvases for children’s art.

Inspiring Lessons for Teachers

The design aids teachers in crafting inspiring lessons in the following ways:

1. Flexible Spaces: Playrooms connected with sliding doors and furniture on wheels allow for quick reconfigurations, facilitating diverse lesson plans.
2. Diverse Learning Environments: With rooms dedicated to science, art, music, and more, teachers can craft specialized lessons tailored to each environment.
3. Outdoor Learning: The playground, herb, and berry garden offer opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning.

Activities and Lessons Suited for this Space

1. Art Projects: Using the blackboard walls for collective mural projects.
2. Science Experiments: In the science-themed playrooms.
3. Music Sessions: In rooms furnished for music.
4. Physical Activities: Using the red slide and the playground’s diverse areas.
5. Gardening Lessons: In the herb and berry garden where children can learn about planting, nurturing, and harvesting.

Incorporating Design Elements in Other Kindergarten Environments

Teachers planning their kindergarten spaces can draw inspiration from the Šmartno Timeshare Kindergarten by:

1. Optimizing Space: Merging underutilized areas to create larger, multifunctional spaces.
2. Flexible Furniture: Using movable furniture to quickly adapt spaces for different activities.
3. Diverse Learning Corners: Designing specific corners or rooms for art, science, music, etc.
4. Outdoor Learning: Incorporating gardens or outdoor play areas that promote hands-on learning.
5. Interactive Features: Integrating features like slides or color-coded stairs that combine learning with play.

In conclusion, the Šmartno Timeshare Kindergarten serves as a beacon of innovative educational design, seamlessly blending play with learning and fostering an environment where children are excited to explore, learn, and grow.