Fagerborg Kindergarden
Reiulf Ramstad Architects has been involved in designing a new kindergarten for Fagerborg
Congregation in central Oslo. The kindergarten offers 2 units for children between 1-3 years
old and 2 units for children between 3-6 years old.
Gross building area is around 1200m2.
There are many cultural heritage guidelines to be considered in the project site. The area is
characterised by residential buildings from 1900-1950. As a requirement from the local
authority, the kindergarten is to have a contemporary expression. With its location in the
middle of a small city park, the kindergarten has an outdoor area that is protected like an
enclosed garden. The planning solution enables the 4 kindergarten units to function both
independently and together as required. All units share a common area and a kitchen in the
heart of the building. Administration is placed on the upper floor separate from children
areas.
Process / Fagerborg congregation committed Reiulf Ramstad Architects to develop and
design a brand new nursery at Fagerborg in central Oslo. An existing nursery and a park of
both poor and inappropriate standard was sanitized to make room for the newly completed
Fagerborg Kindergarten. The new kindergarten comprises a total of four units - two of which
are small units. The project has a total area of 1200 m2. The architect has been involved
from the initial planning and followed the process from programming to final construction and
completion. Reiulf Ramstad Architects has designed both the building and the outdoor facility
area
Kindergartens are all too often made up by a basic or random and often very poor
architectural design. The Fagerborg Project did not want to be a part of this trend but rather
give the kindergarten an important priority in order to develop a building with a stimulating
environment for the next generation.
Goal / In nature, top seeds needs the best soil for the best growth conditions to flourish. This
is the same for humans. Children are the citizens of “tomorrow” and the resources of the
future and it is important that this group have stimulating and developing physical limits in
their everyday sphere. Therefore, the objective of the program- agreed upon by both the
client and the architect – was to create a nursery that would have a rich architectural register
and become a house of character to encourage the development of character - a meaningful
architectural framework for children's important first phase of the formation and development
of the Childs experience outside the family.