Fischer Garden Kindergarten and Residential Building

In the residential area of Zugló, we designed two distinct buildings with different functions: an eight-unit terraced house and a kindergarten with four group rooms for 80 children. The project was planned on a 2,500 m² corner plot with a 30% site coverage, allowing for human-scale buildings that blend into their surroundings. With a permitted building height of 6.5 meters, the structures were designed as ground-floor plus first-floor volumes. Throughout the planning process, we prioritized the creation of a green buffer zone between the neighboring properties and the optimal orientation for both the kindergarten and the residential building. The biggest challenge was integrating a community facility and a residential development on the same plot. Ultimately, we solved this by designing a shared access road leading to the underground parking beneath both buildings.

In designing the kindergarten, our focus was on creating a child-friendly environment, moving away from the clichés of institutional architecture to achieve a home-like atmosphere that better suits young children. Naturally, the layout also had to meet the functional needs of teachers, administrators, and parents. The key challenge was to design a space that fosters strong connections between educators and children while remaining practical and cost-effective. Our fundamental architectural vision was to create a spacious, child-centered kindergarten with functional yet economical spaces.

The kindergarten entrance is located on Fischer István Street. The older children’s (ages 4-5) group rooms are situated on the upper floor of the rectangular two-story building, while the younger children’s activity rooms and the family nursery are on the ground floor. The playground is accessible from both levels through a generous activity hall and changing area. Practical facilities such as a catering kitchen, maintenance rooms, and storage areas are located downstairs, along with a multifunctional space and an individual activity room. The windows of these spaces face the green valley-like axis that divides the garden.

Our aim was to create a child-scaled environment, imagining how children would navigate the space, what they would see, and what kinds of experiences they might have. We wanted to design an engaging environment without overwhelming colors and shapes, ensuring a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The kindergarten’s identity is defined by the graphic glass panels placed in front of the façade—these playful elements perfectly align with the child-centered approach while also giving the building a distinct public presence.

The pedestrian entrance to the eight-unit terraced house is on Bonyhádi Street. Each approximately 125 m² unit consists of four rooms. On the ground floor, a bright, south-east-facing living room opens onto a private garden and terrace. Upstairs, there are three larger bedrooms, a bathroom, and a walk-in closet. Parking is provided in a shared underground garage, with direct individual access to each unit.

Adjacent to the kindergarten, the residential building presents itself as a simple yet elegant structure. Its brick façade and green front yard create a welcoming, friendly atmosphere that integrates seamlessly into the suburban streetscape.