"Now that's a stairway to heaven" says commenter

In this week's comments update, readers are discussing a weathered steel-clad kindergarten in Munich campus by Berlin studio Kéré Architecture.

Complete with a three-storey playground, Kinderoase an der TUM, is an on-site childcare facility to support young professionals balancing work and family responsibilities.

"Love those slides"

"The interiors, plans and massing are all excellent here," wrote Jacob Volanski. "But weathered steel does not resonate with the notion of nurturing kiddos at the start of life."

Agreeing, commenter JZ said, "cultural mores may have an influence on what it means for 'play is the core of this design', but this doesn't look like it."

"Architecture should have been the core of this design, not 'play'," Jb said taking a completely opposite stance. "The crime here is the lack of respect for the architectural context and the complete lack of communicative architecture."

Other readers were less critical, expressing their appreciation for the project.

"I'm not sure why it needs to communicate 'kindergarten' from the outside when it clearly responds to children on the inside," wrote HL.

"Love those slides," wrote Jim Angrabright, while Chris D enthusiastically said, "Now that's a stairway to heaven.

What do you think? Join the discussion ›

BIG arranges circular Dymak HQ around stepped courtyard

"Quite unexpectedly, I like it!"

Another story stoking debate this week was Danish material supplier Dymak's headquarters by BIG in Odense, Denmark.

"Great work! I think they nailed this one," wrote Z-dog.

"I appreciate the clarity of the idea and the discreet form," agreed JZ.

"Stunning," said ELM58, while an impressed Oliber Tweet wrote, "quite unexpectedly, I like it!"

"Amazing craftsmanship in the details and construction," before he added, "Such a very expensive way of enclosing space," wrote Colin MacGillivray.

Other readers were less supportive. "BIG are really great a creating problems that should only be solved by them," said Ricky Sambora.

Measuredly, Tom Roberts noted, "it is a curiously inventive object, but I find the material usage unpleasant."

What are your thoughts? Join the discussion ›

Snøhetta uses mass timber and earthen walls for Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library

"The layers of the rammed earth wall are so choice"

One project which most readers could agree on was Snøhetta's Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota, USA.

"This is beautiful world-class architecture," wrote AMD500, impressed.

Design Junkie agreed, saying, "The layers of the rammed earth wall are so choice. Nice work."

"Immensely superior to Obama's hideous Death Star Tombstone," joked Jack Woodburn.

"I think this project is quite good," remarked Robin. "It elegantly blends into the landscape and materials are mostly sustainable."

Have you had your say yet? Join the discussion ›

Comments update

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