“Hortus Conclusus” is a Latin term, meaning literally “enclosed garden”. At their root, both of the words in hortus conclusus refer linguistically to enclosure. It describes a genre of garden that was enclosed as a practical concern, a major theme in the history of gardening.
How to deal with different surroundings by contributing positively in all directions and respecting the existent context?
Designed to become a protective ring as a kindergarten, the implementation of the Hortus Conclusus project benefits from a privileged location in the Taka Toolo district, near the cultural and historically valuable Sibelius Park with the well-known Sibelius Monument. It is designed as a unifying moment that promotes a smooth transition between the rocky topography, Rajasaarentie Street, Villa Bravalla landmark, natural environment, and Sibelius Park connections.
This kindergarten gives a unique sense of unity and, through its sensitive adaption to the landscape, gives it a sense of completion, as if it was always there. Through this gesture, a protective ring is created, around a garden that can be used by the children and contemplated by the visitors. Inclusion, of both the urban and natural environment, presents itself as a main point in the definition of an organic but solid volumetry that does not seek to separate but rather merges different dimensions.
By connecting the lowest and the highest point of the plot this project seeks to achieve the capacity of being a merging platform between the city, the park, and the villa. This creates the opportunity to split the interior program into two dimensions: a level behind the villa, directly connected to the exterior in all its moments, and a level that connects the building to the park.
Hortus Conlusus has a clear vision: to offer an interactive and pedagogical daily routine for the children, to merge the different dimensions in its surroundings, and to open itself to the surrounding residents. The dream is to create an institution that stimulates curiosity, awakes excitement, and where all feel at home.
A smooth wood structure serves to envelop the spaces, following the geometry of the shape, and can adapt gently to the different moments within the topography of the site. This strategy allows it to have different opening levels on the facade. Close to the ground, in the inner and outer ring, a glazed facade contrasts with the rough nature and allows the extension of the visual connections among all the plot moments.
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