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Buildner is pleased to announce the results of the third Kinderspace: Architecture for Children's Development competition, an international challenge inviting architects and designers to rethink early childhood education environments. The competition called for proposals that go beyond conventional models, creating spaces that foster curiosity, independence, and holistic development.
The selected projects explored themes such as community-scale layouts, integration of nature, flexible learning environments, and architecture as a pedagogical tool. Submissions demonstrated how thoughtful design can support childhood development, social interaction, and environmental awareness.
The first prize and student award were granted to Sama Osama Nassef Tawfik, Marly Azmy, and Mariam Khaled from Cairo University, Egypt, for UpCycle Garden, a vertically organized kindergarten built on rooftops of a dense settlement, combining play, learning, and community engagement. The second prize went to Michaela Maresch-Ast from Austria for Pixels, a modular, child-centered kindergarten embedded in Vienna, emphasizing exploration and adaptable learning spaces. The third prize was awarded to Mazen Eid, Mohamed Khaled Mohamed Farouq Ahmed, Youssef Mohamed Mohamed Dahy Abdalla, and Yousef Mohamed Ramadan Mohamed from Cairo University, Egypt, for Oasis of Halaqat, a contextually grounded kindergarten inspired by traditional halaqat learning circles in Siwa, Egypt. The Sustainability Award went to Alicja Anna Zioło and Hanna Weronika Lechowska from Poland for Tiny Explorers Village, a small settlement of house-like units promoting exploration, autonomy, and sustainable design.
The Kinderspace competition continues to inspire innovative approaches to early childhood architecture, showing how design can nurture learning, imagination, and connection to the environment. For honorable mentions and shortlisted projects, visit our website.
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1st and Student Award
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
Sustainability Award
