A modern school and kindergarten at the chateau

The successful transformation of the chateau in Hostavice undertaken by the Opálka design studio has given both the modern school and kindergarten an unusual degree of lightness and elegance. The internal areas reflect the progressive method of teaching and they are not only child-friendly, but they also provide facilities for parents and teachers in the form of a café and a common room.

The project of the renovation of a private elementary school and kindergarten located in the neo-renaissance building of a chateau, set in a park full of centuries-old trees naturally growing into the building itself, gives a feeling of connection with the surroundings. The architects strived to connect the exterior with the newly renovated interior. The original features were preserved in most rooms on the two floors of the building during the renovation, such as the original doors, granite stairs, parquet floors in the classrooms, as well as the original arches and decorative sheets, thus helping to preserve the history. At the same time, a new, modern school must be perceived in terms of its functionality and practicality, and there were many interventions to make the new school feel both airy and spectacular. Most schools today utilise expressive colours and a combination of accenting elements on the furniture which attract pupils' attention, but in this case, natural shades of wood were used in the interiors, along with bricks and simple colours. However, the most important thing was to create a space with unusual elements which would stimulate feelings of freedom and energy and where children could develop their creativity and playfulness. The kindergarten and the school have two independent entrances, so that they do not interrupt each other’s operations, but at the same time they are also interconnected in order to simplify the delivery of supplies. Even though the school and the kindergarten have many things in common, the approach to both of them was different from the point of view of the purpose of the renovation. At the kindergarten, it was necessary to ensure that the smaller children did not feel engulfed by an area with high ceilings, and also to respect the principles of Montessori teaching. At the same time, a focus was placed on areas where teachers, children and parents could meet and relax together, such as the café or the gym/lounge, which is the central point of the school. Great emphasis was placed on the aesthetics and cleanliness of the whole space, as the white colour used in most rooms where children spend their time provides the necessary amount of light and a feeling of clean space.
EGGER materials were also used in the renovation, such as F094 ST15 Black Copper Cipollino Marble on the island and U999 PM/ST2 Black PerfectSense Matt on the high cabinets. H3303 ST10 Natural Hamilton Oak was used on the wooden elements, the tables, the cabinets and the drawers. The W1000 ST38 Premium White decor was chosen for the white elements.
By combining old architecture with an idea of a modern interior, the renovated school in Hostovice is an example of perfect symbiosis

Studio Opálka Design

Základní škola Be Open s.r.o.