With the new “Eulennest” day nursery in Aichenbachstrasse, the town of Schorndorf has realized a remarkable educational building that combines architectural quality with a well thought-out educational concept. The daycare center was designed by (se)arch architekten bda from Stuttgart, which won out over well-known competitors in a design competition. Since September 2024, the new building has offered space for six groups in all-day care – on two levels that blend sensitively into the green surroundings.

The design language of the new building is unusual, but by no means obtrusive: an expressively curved roof rests on a simple structure and is reminiscent of either an indoor riding arena or a circus tent – an image that fits well with the liveliness and imagination of the future users. The architects see the roof as a connecting element: it spans the various functions and mediates between the park-like surroundings and the built space.

The daycare center is located at the transition between the residential area and the landscape – a sensitive interface that was cleverly solved architecturally. The timber construction is based on the loose structure of the neighboring buildings and remains at eye level with the site in terms of scale and materials. Thanks to its natural colors and soft lines, the building appears inviting and child-friendly despite its size.

The daycare center is accessed via the east. The entrance area houses the management rooms, a spacious exercise room and a central staircase that connects the two levels. The spatial organization follows a clear pedagogical idea: the group rooms for children under the age of three are located on the first floor – with direct access to protected outdoor areas. On the upper floor, the older children have space to play, learn and try things out.

The heart of the upper floor is a central play corridor, which is accessible from all group rooms. The rooms are organized around this interior space – an arrangement that provides orientation and promotes communication. Daylight enters the interior of the building via a generous skylight dome. This not only creates a friendly atmosphere, but also supports the natural indoor climate. The space on the upper floor is complemented by a kitchen and a creative room – places for cooking, crafting and experimenting together.

The Eulennest daycare center is not only an architecturally successful example of modern educational buildings, but also a clear commitment to sustainability. The use of wood as the main structural and design material ensures pleasant room acoustics and a healthy indoor climate – important factors, especially in facilities for children. In addition, the new building meets high energy standards and thus contributes to the responsible use of resources.

Read also: Daycare center in Stuttgart-Hedelfingen by larob. studio für architektur.

The politician Jens Spahn sees German city centres being overrun by the English language and a globalized hipster culture. Our author wishes him more serenity.

Jo, it’s funny, the picture above. A subtle linguistic attack on the common Teutonic tourist. Whether an unconscious act of Germano aversion or rather sloppiness in the Adriatic high season – the impression currently haunting Facebook refers to the great theme of longing and loss in globalization: dealing with one’s own, and foreign, language. An emotional subject. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about – I’m currently living in Mexico and am trying, with moderate success, to improve my Spanish. That’s important, because hardly anyone speaks English here. Unlike in Berlin-Mitte.

Which brings us to the topic. The dominance of English in core tourist areas such as the center of Berlin has just been made an issue by CDU politician (and, according to those in the know, upcoming party star) Jens Spahn. He says that too much English is spoken in Berlin’s hipster cafés. And tries, somewhat strenuously, to combine his position as the only CDU hipster with his Anglo-critical core argumentation. Of course, this is aimed more at the CDU core electorate “out in the country”, people in Wanne-Eickel or Salzgitter-Lebenstedt, who may not speak English as well as the Berlin hipsters Spahn doesn’t appreciate (and like himself, as he casually lets slip).

Very important for Spahn: the reversal of the provincialism accusation. It is not the people from Wanne-Eickel who are provincial, but the hipsters themselves. A popular mental maneuver: take your opponent’s main argument and throw it at them yourself. Am I stupid? No, you are stupid. No, you are. No you…

Now, the presence of English in the tourist centers of our cities – as well as in those of other metropolises – cannot be denied. Occasionally I sit with a German friend at the bar of Berlin’s Soho House and order drinks from the German barman – in English. It does feel a bit strange. But to be honest, it’s not that bad. In any case, it doesn’t give me the identity crisis Spahn is talking about. And the drinks are still good.

What is interesting about Spahn’s criticism, however, is his observation that a kind of global tourism culture is spreading in our centers and replacing everything regional. That’s true, these cultural processes do exist. They also have an architectural impact, in Berlin, for example, through the construction of architecturally disastrous hotel bunkers that signal to Easyjet tourists in particular: This is your place. Berlin has little to counter this as a city due to empty coffers. At least investment is now being made, it seems. But the question is at what point the atmosphere of a city center is actually undermined to such an extent that nothing specific to the city remains.

Although – ultimately, I’m not so pessimistic about this. And that’s because I believe in the power of our cities more than Jens Spahn does. It’s not true that “all of Mitte” or the entire city centre of Munich is degenerating into vulgar, globalized party zones. Rather, backpacker tourism and hipsteritis are being added to other cultural elements. And alongside the aforementioned hotel monstrosities, a lot of good architecture is still being created in our cities. In this respect, dear Mr. Spahn: Relax. Oh sorry – don’t despair, I meant.