Architectural firm Land n Arch has designed a remarkable welfare building and neighborhood park project in Chania, Greece. The project is set to revolutionize the way the community interacts with its surroundings. Chania Stay & Play seamlessly combines two essential functions, a nursery, and a daycare center for the elderly, while also incorporating a welcoming neighborhood park.
The primary goal of Chania Stay & Play’s design was to create a harmonious relationship between the building structure and its outdoor surroundings. The result is a space that seamlessly transitions from public to private, offering a unique environment for its users and enhancing the suburban landscape of Chania in Crete.
To make the most of the natural land inclination, the building spans two levels, with each level serving a distinct purpose. The nursery school features an enclosed structure surrounding a central patio, allowing children to have graduated access to outdoor play areas. Meanwhile, the elderly care center, located on the same level as the neighborhood park, provides direct access to an extended outdoor space and the park’s recreational facilities.
Within the nursery, functional units are organized around a one-level atrium layout, ensuring efficient distribution of functions. This layout, with symmetrical sections dedicated to children and infants, provides access to the enclosed patio, which acts as a play area.
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One of the standout design features is the integration of open spaces into the building through diagonal slots that serve as individual entrances to the nursery. These slots allow the building’s perimeter courtyards to seamlessly flow into the interior, directing people towards the heart of the structure. This ingenious design fosters a balanced coexistence between interior and outdoor spaces.
The overarching aim of Chania Stay & Play’s design is to create harmony between the man-made structure and the natural environment. This is achieved through the building’s volume, serving as a unifying element for various functional units, and through the extensive use of greenery. Green spaces not only act as a structural element but also fill the voids within the building, serving as a focal point.
Project information
Client: Municipality of Chania, Greece
Office: Land n Arch – landnarch.com
Location: Chania, Crete, Greece
Team
Architect: Eirini Androutsopoulou
Structural Engineer: Manos Kyriazis
Mechanical Engineer: Ilias Koniakos
