Introduction
Buildner is excited to announce the results of the Kinderspace Competition.
This is the first edition of an annual international competition inviting architects, designers, and educators to rethink the design of early childhood learning spaces.
Participants were challenged to create innovative environments that foster creativity, exploration, and well-being for young children. The goal was to move beyond conventional classroom models and propose spaces that enhance learning through architecture, integrating playfulness, flexibility, and engagement with nature.
Entrants had the freedom to select a theoretical site, allowing them to tailor their designs to local cultural and environmental contexts. Key considerations included spatial adaptability, natural lighting, material selection, and sensory stimulation—elements that contribute to a child’s cognitive and emotional development. The competition aimed to highlight how thoughtful architectural design can create enriching and inspiring educational spaces for the youngest learners.
The Kinderspace Competition jury featured a distinguished panel of architects and designers with diverse expertise: Jake Heffington, founder and Principal of ...and other works, architectural professor of practice at North Carolina State University, and recipient of the 2022 AIA NC Young Architect Award; Danielle Reimers, Principal at SAOTA, with extensive experience in international design competitions and sustainable architectural practices, formerly with Renzo Piano Building Workshop; Jan Vondrák, co-founder of the renowned Czech studio Mjölk, known for its innovative and context-driven designs; and Edward Weysen, co-founder of WE-S architects, a Belgian firm recognized for its award-winning projects blending architecture and landscape. Their collective expertise brought valuable insight to the competition, evaluating submissions for their creativity, functionality, and impact on early childhood learning environments.
Buildner and its jury extend their gratitude to all participants for their creative and thoughtful contributions. We congratulate the winners on their outstanding designs and look forward to seeing how innovative architecture can shape the future of early childhood education.
We sincerely thank our jury panel
for their time and expertise
Alexandra Barker
Barker Associates Architecture Office - baao
USA
Tommaso Calistri
Killa Design
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Jake Heffington
...and other works
USA
Danielle Reimers
SAOTA
South Africa
Jan Vondrák
Mjölk
Czechia
Edward Weysen
WE-S architects
Belgium
Yunchao Xu
Atelier Apeiron
China
1st Prize Winner
Jardin Buenos Aires
We participate in competitions because you create new transformation scenarios.
Read full interview
Germany
Jury feedback summary
The project, situated in an urban park in Buenos Aires, encompasses a multi-functional community hub designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding environment. It includes indoor spaces totaling 895 sqm and outdoor areas of 1500 sqm, aimed at fostering community engagement through versatile, nature-integrated design.
The strength of the design lies in the simplicity and radicality of the proposal, the superposition of circle and square. The proposal does not slip into a purely geometric gesture, but translates into an extremely readable building that manages to reconcile structural logic with an interesting plan arrangement.
Edward Weysen / Buildner guest jury
WE-S architects, Belgium
Beautifully articulated form, creating a meaningful, safe urban square for children that can be used throughout the year.
Danielle Reimers / Buildner guest jury
SAOTA, South Africa
The kindergarten project presents a distinctive architectural concept, featuring a striking square patio enclosed within a circular form. This bold geometric approach creates a strong visual identity while maintaining a well-balanced spatial organization. The use of warm and inviting materials enhances the overall atmosphere, making the environment both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for children.
Jan Vondrák / Buildner guest jury
Mjölk , Czechia
The designers pay sufficient attention to the spatial experience and know how to convert this into attractive images and diagrams.
Edward Weysen / Buildner guest jury
WE-S architects, Belgium
The thoughtfully designed spaces foster creativity and provide an inspiring setting for early childhood education. The project successfully combines innovative architecture with a nurturing and functional learning environment.
Jan Vondrák / Buildner guest jury
Mjölk , Czechia
Buildner's commentary, recommendations and techniques review
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This project effectively conveys warmth, materiality, light, and engaging spaces. The decision to use a single large rendering per sheet effectively highlights the main points, supported by smaller drawings and diagrams that are meticulously developed with exceptional detail. The presentation strikes a balance between technical complexity and visual simplicity, using images at various scales to showcase the project as a true architectural work ready for construction.
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10/10 Linework
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10/10 Quality of drawings
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10/10 Balance of color
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10/10 Layout
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10/10 Hierarchy
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7/10 Annotation
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8/10 Text
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10/10 Clarity of story
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9/10 Clarity of diagrams
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10/10 Quality of overall presentation
Enter an open architecture competition now
2nd Prize Winner
New Play Between Old Walls
Participating in architecture competitions is a creative outlet without the restrictions usually applied in our daily work life. While fulfilling and challenging in the best way, the architectural practice is often hampered by monetary, legal and mental boundaries. Creating designs for competitions like these enables us to freely express our ideas and ideals. In a way it fulfills our dream to participate in the global discourse. And paint pretty pictures.
Read full interview
Germany
Jury feedback summary
The project integrates sustainable and child-centric design principles into a multi-functional community center. The design includes flexible spaces to accommodate educational and community activities, with special attention to acoustics and natural light to enhance learning environments. Construction incorporates environmentally friendly materials and technologies, focusing on energy efficiency and low environmental impact.
The checkerboard infill of the old water and gas works was a great way to re-appropriate previous urban infrastructure, finding balance between poetry and pragmatism, built and green zones, connection to the earth and sky.
Danielle Reimers / Buildner guest jury
SAOTA, South Africa
The proposal represents a valuable attempt to convert the industrial heritage into a social catalyst. The checkerboard pattern with which the water basin is filled forms an interesting connection of built-up and open spaces and thus connects three different living groups.
Edward Weysen / Buildner guest jury
WE-S architects, Belgium
Each living group and outdoor space was designed in a fairly similar way, and this seems like a missed opportunity. Children aged 3 and 4 have different priorities than children aged 5 and 6. This could have translated into a proposal that, despite its rigid structure, could have led to a less generic plan structure.
Edward Weysen / Buildner guest jury
WE-S architects, Belgium
Buildner's commentary, recommendations and techniques review
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This project displays exceptional graphic quality, reflecting the author's unique approach to conveying architectural concepts, characterized by an adept use of color, detail, and complexity. While the visual elements are striking, the textual content could benefit from further condensation to enhance readability.
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10/10 Linework
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10/10 Quality of drawings
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10/10 Balance of color
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9/10 Layout
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9/10 Hierarchy
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7/10 Annotation
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8/10 Text
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9/10 Clarity of story
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9/10 Clarity of diagrams
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9/10 Quality of overall presentation
3rd Prize Winner +
Buildner Student Award
Buildner Student Award
Wander-Land
We participate in architecture competitions as an opportunity to showcase our ideas and push the boundaries of our creativity. These competitions provide a platform for us to experiment with innovative design concepts while addressing real-world challenges. At the same time, they serve as a valuable learning experience, helping us refine our skills, improve our problem-solving abilities, and gain deeper insights into architectural thinking. It is both a chance for self-improvement and a way to contribute fresh perspectives to the field.
Read full interview
China
Jury feedback summary
'Wanderland' integrates advanced environmental design with specialized learning spaces for children. The facility includes rooftop solar panels for sustainable power, ventilated and naturally lit classrooms promoting a healthy learning environment, and flexible furniture arrangements to adapt to various educational activities.
A very simple construction type and material palette achieves a dynamic series of intimate and inspiring gathering and learning spaces. Creating an environment for young children to "wander", discovering the Kinderspace for themselves and encountering vegetated learning environments is a wonderful way to encourage and reward curiosity.
Jake Heffington / Buildner guest jury
...and other works, USA
This kindergarten stands out with its elevated volumes, creating a dynamic and inspiring environment that stimulates children's imagination. The varied spatial compositions offer diverse experiences, fostering creativity and exploration.
Jan Vondrák / Buildner guest jury
Mjölk , Czechia
The designers opt for a juxtaposition of enclosed rooms, connected via a labyrinthine network of corridors. The proposal creates an almost isotropic and alienating plan in which rest and passage areas are barely distinguishable from each other. The double height in the classrooms seems oversized in relation to the rooms. Moreover, the needs of the different living groups simply translate into a diverse use of loose furniture.
Edward Weysen / Buildner guest jury
WE-S architects, Belgium
A unifying roof ties the different volumes together, enhancing the overall cohesion of the design. It is a missed opportunity that the roof surface itself was not further developed as part of the project, as it could have added another layer of functionality or interaction. Despite this, the project remains a well-executed and thoughtfully designed educational space.
Jan Vondrák / Buildner guest jury
Mjölk , Czechia
Buildner's commentary, recommendations and techniques review
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The use of color in this project's renderings is subdued yet consistent, contributing to a cohesive and visually pleasing set of panels. The visuals skillfully blend a variety of scales, showcasing rich exterior and interior views. Notably, the sectional perspective stands out as particularly strong and unique.
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8/10 Linework
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10/10 Quality of drawings
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10/10 Balance of color
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9/10 Layout
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9/10 Hierarchy
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7/10 Annotation
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9/10 Text
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9/10 Clarity of story
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9/10 Clarity of diagrams
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9/10 Quality of overall presentation
Buildner Sustainability Award
A Garden Between Land and Sky
Competitions are a playground for the mind. They give us a stage to try out bold ideas and challenge conventional design approaches. Also, we want to be heard. It’s where we can express our architectural vision freely and participate in global design conversations.
Read full interview
Australia
Jury feedback summary
This project presents a harmonious integration of architecture with the natural environment, inspired by indigenous wisdom and designed to foster a connection between children and the Australian landscape. Located in Melbourne, the facility boasts modular design elements and environmentally friendly materials. It includes interactive, educational spaces that encourage exploration and sensory engagement with nature.
A wonderfully immersive experience for kids poetically connecting water to garden life, beautifully defining and highlighting the ecosystems around us.
Danielle Reimers / Buildner guest jury
SAOTA, South Africa
The designers have paid a lot of attention to the materialization and facade articulation of the building. This can be read in beautiful images. The effect of the layered facade is fascinating. However, the proposal shows a lack of knowledge about the operation of a daycare center. Circulation flows are spread across the site and allow little overview and control. The location of the waiting area and dining room, far away from the classrooms, is not recommended.
Edward Weysen / Buildner guest jury
WE-S architects, Belgium
Buildner's commentary, recommendations and techniques review
Order your review here
The drawings, particularly the plan and section, are beautifully executed. And the renderings exhibit a compelling use of color that draws the viewer in. The author demonstrates a strong understanding of visual hierarchy, skillfully balancing large and small drawings to guide the viewer through the design. However, the presentation lacks details describing materials and thicknesses, which are essential for fully conveying the architectural intent of the project.
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9/10 Linework
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10/10 Quality of drawings
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10/10 Balance of color
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9/10 Layout
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10/10 Hierarchy
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7/10 Annotation
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9/10 Text
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9/10 Clarity of story
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9/10 Clarity of diagrams
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9/10 Quality of overall presentation
Honorable mentions
Shortlisted projects
Ollin
Mexico The Kids Village Kindergarten
Niseko Snowscape Kindergarten
A Sustainable Vision for Community-Centered Childcare
Achol Kinderspace
Building Bricks Game
Becoming together
Nature/Nurture
Anthill
Jardin Buenos Aires
Wikido Kindergarten
Necklace Kindergarten
Up & Around Kinderspace
OKÁ
A Garden Between Land and Sky
Children of the Longhouse
Bacha Bagh Kindergarten
Kids' Edible Garden
KinderForest
Water Graden
The Growing Kindergarten
New Play Between Old Walls
Rose-Mont
Yachay Kinderspace
LAGO(RÀ)
Wedge Forest
Growing Green Minds
Keep Playing Round
SPACE TO GROW: Transforming industrial spaces to playful learning
FILL THE PIECES
Reclaiming Space for Imagination
BATEY
Reclaiming space for childhood
Wander-Land
THE SENSE FOREST
Compass
Breezy's Nest
Close to the Edge
Kodomo no Daichi 子供 の大地
Wonder
