Forest Weave Kindergarten

Shortlisted design competition entry reimagining early education spaces through a seamless connection with nature and community.

Talinn / Estonia

Education

Forest Weave Kindergarten (Metsakudujad Lasteaed) embodies Mailen Design’s expertise in sustainable and community-focused educational architecture. This shortlisted competition entry integrates seamlessly into its parkland setting, preserving mature trees whilst enhancing the site’s cultural and natural heritage. Anchored by a restored historic villa, the scheme balances functional design with an innovative masterplan that connects intergenerational spaces and emphasises the natural environment as a key educational resource.

Nursery volumes embrace the courtyard, creating a safe space where children can navigate, learn, and play under the shelter of mature trees.

Pitched ceilings and continuous glazing provide naturally lit interiors that encourage exploration and interaction with the surrounding environment.

The new entrance square enhances the historic villa's prominence, providing a focal point that fosters a sense of arrival and connection.

Preserving mature trees creates an immersive learning environment that integrates natural elements directly into educational experiences.

Project highlights

At a glance

Design philosophy

Forest Weave Kindergarten harmonises architecture with its natural surroundings, creating an immersive environment that inspires curiosity and creativity through interaction with nature. Our design seamlessly integrates built and natural elements, prioritising exploration, learning, and community. The restored ex-director’s villa anchors the site, providing educational and communal spaces that honour its historical significance whilst fostering a strong sense of place. Surrounding the villa, nursery volumes form a 'mini village' carefully arranged to preserve mature trees and embrace the parkland’s organic character. Indoor and outdoor spaces flow effortlessly, fostering a 'forest school' atmosphere that connects children to their environment. Through thoughtful forms and materials that respond to the landscape, the architecture enhances its context, creating a dynamic campus that evolves with its users and supports community engagement.

Sustainability

A fabric-first approach underpins Forest Weave’s sustainability strategy. Cross-laminated timber construction reduces embodied carbon and supports off-site prefabrication, ensuring precision and efficiency. Green and pitched roofs improve thermal performance and rainwater management, whilst solar panels contribute to renewable energy targets. Passive ventilation systems, operable windows, and deep roof overhangs maintain indoor air quality and comfort with minimal energy use. These sustainable strategies align with the project’s mission of creating a learning environment that promotes environmental responsibility and well-being.

Challenges and solutions

Designing a kindergarten within an ecologically sensitive park demanded careful integration of functional requirements with preservation goals. The nursery volumes are fragmented and arranged to fit harmoniously within the existing tree canopy, ensuring minimal disruption to the site. Overhanging roofs shield interiors from solar glare, whilst large, strategically placed windows and courtyards ensure abundant natural light and ventilation. These features not only enhance environmental performance but also create learning spaces where children can interact seamlessly with nature. The central courtyard, framed by the main entrance block and nursery rooms, provides a protected yet open outdoor area for play and congregation, fostering both safety and social interaction. By employing playful, pitched roof forms that echo local vernacular, the design promotes a welcoming and inspiring educational environment.

Outcome

Forest Weave’s architectural identity is shaped by its engagement with the parkland. Nursery volumes, clad in vertical timber, resonate with the natural surroundings and are crowned by chimneys that reference Tallinn’s industrial heritage. Ground-floor glazing fosters an immersive relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, encouraging children to connect with their environment. Pitched roofs with tall, open interiors stimulate creativity and provide dynamic, light-filled classrooms. The restored villa, a historic anchor for the site, bridges past and present, housing both educational spaces and community resources. By uniting architectural integrity with functional impact, Forest Weave creates a setting where education and community thrive together.

Mailen-Design-Forest-Weave-Kindergarten-Nursery-Internal-View-London-Education-Architects.

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