Óbester Kindergarten
2025
National design competition for the Óvester Street Kindergarten, 2nd place
Architects: Balázs Biri, Eszter Mantuano, László Rátgéber, Levente Szabó
The designated planning area for the new kindergarten is ideally located on the edge of Haller Park. The area can be accessed from Mester Street through the park, from Haller Street and Vágóhíd Street via Óbester Street, and is surrounded by public spaces and the neighboring existing kindergarten plot.
We formulated the following key principles for the design of the new kindergarten:
1. The principle of preserving as much GREEN SPACE as possible: protecting the existing valuable linden trees and strengthening the defining role of the huge tree in the center
2. The principle of the smallest “FOOTPRINT”: constructing a new building on the site of the building to be demolished, with a compact, economically viable design, the smallest possible footprint, and maximization of green space and playground area
3. Principle of the most optimal ACCESS: the main entrance is easily accessible from both the main public transport routes and possible car arrival routes, while not overcrowding the existing neighboring kindergarten entrance
4. The principle of the most proportionate SCALE: creating a well-proportioned mass with green roofs, terraces, and an inner courtyard
5. Principle of most intensive COURTYARD CONNECTION: group rooms and gym facing southeast on the ground floor, directly connected to the courtyard, differentiated playground, varied interior, exterior and transitional situations, terraces, closed and open courtyards
6. The principle of the most CLEAN AND NATURAL design: a clear, clean and orderly, yet playful and varied spatial structure
7. The principle of the simplest yet MOST UNIQUE DETAILS: archetypal spaces (e.g., porch), use of natural materials and varied details, architectural and interior design features


















