Vilnius District Municipality together with DO ARCHITECTS shows an example of what a public kindergarten should be like – the renovated kindergarten “Pelėdžiukas” was opened in Pagiriiai and presented to the public. The needs of the children were the first consideration in its construction, and the design and construction process were modified to save the huge spruce tree in the kindergarten yard. In Pagiriai, the kindergarten “Pelėdžiukas”, which was surrounded by Soviet apartment blocks, has been extended by building modern architectural extensions. The new part of the kindergarten consists of 4 nursery and 2 kindergarten groups, attached to the existing kindergarten building. The old and new buildings are connected by common spaces and a covered courtyard. The main change after the renovation is the enclosed courtyard.
| Location | Lithuania, Vilnius |
| Typology | Street |
| Floor area | 1,5 km |
| Year (transformation) | ? (2020) |
| Architects | DO ARCHITECTS |
| Transformation strategy | Transformation |
The children go out on their own, and the daily games and kindergarten events take place there. The courtyard becomes the main entrance area where parents, children, teachers and the community meet. The courtyard is surrounded only by common spaces – from inside the children can always see what is going on outside, and from outside they can see what is going on in the canteen, the lounge and the event area. This is how natural socialisation, curiosity and a sense of community are developed. The design and construction of the kindergarten has also paid particular attention to the trees that grow there. At the very beginning of the project, the extension of the kindergarten was planned for a completely different location, but when a beautiful spruce tree arrived and was seen growing on the site, it was preserved, as were the other trees there.
TRANSFORMATION
Being the main street of the neighbourhood, Naugardukas street is a heavily car oriented with a lack of bicycle lanes and racks.
With a places to sit and gather, the street is more friendly for pedestrians; new bike lanes create comfortable connection to the city centre, thus making the street to be perceived as a public space, rather than simply a road.
The street is not seen as a possible gathering space, where residents of the neighbourhood can meet.
The market on Sundays makes the street work as an informal gathering space, friendly for pedestrians.
Due to high speed, pedestrians are not welcomed to stop and enjoy the street, therefore the street is not alive, people are not prone to meet there.
With parklets, street becomes a place for unexpected meetings and new barrier makes drivers be slower and more careful in traffic.
There is no owner of the commonly used space, therefore nobody feels responsible for the outdoor space next to the building.
With a semi-private street terrace of Vinted office, the surrounding is taken care of and is utilised for outdoor gatherings of the office workers.
Due to lack of lightening, urban furniture, proper sidewalk paving and greenery the atmosphere of the street is not welcoming to pass or stop.
With a careful attention to design of the street and its elements, the street feels more safe and lively to spend time in.
Project text provided by the project authors
Pictures by Saulius Žiūra, DO ARCHITECTS, Google StreetView