Switzerland. A wooden nursery that merges interiors and nature

Studio Lacroix Chessex has completed a wooden nursery in Lancy, Switzerland. The main concept was to bring the landscape into the heart of the building. A crèche and a playground are conceived as two pieces of a puzzle and as the interpenetration of the interior and exterior worlds.

The playground is a safe, protected external space where the children spend a great deal of time. It is as important as its alter ego, the building itself. Sunk 60 cm below the natural ground level, the playground sets itself apart from the rest of the clearing. Encircled by a long, continuous bench, it creates a special and privileged relationship with the natural surroundings. The building is organised in a simple and clear way: the two wings accommodate the four groups of children, while the common spaces are housed in the north section. A large foyer connects the different areas.