The Kinder Insel is part of the "Museum Insel Hombroich" on the outskirts of Cologne. Together with her husband, Oliver Kruse, Patricia Hepp designed the kindergarden "Kinder Insel Hombroich" in 1999, and created and furnished a corresponding architecture for it. The architecture plays an important role in the educational concept. According to the motto "art parallel to nature", special emphasis is placed on the creative education of the children and the exploration of nature, and close cooperation is maintained with visual artists and musicians.
The "Kinder Insel Hombroich" is an extraordinary kindergarten. A place surrounded by art and nature. Embedded in the museum island of Hombroich, in the floodplain of the Erf, one of the most unique art locations in Europe. Immediately upon our arrival, we were enchanted by the lush greenery and fertility of this place. Nature grows as if in a primeval forest: a huge area with old trees, wide meadows between watercourses, and an apparently intact flora and fauna.
The establishment of the Insel Hombroich Foundation goes back to an initiative of a group of art collectors, artists and art enthusiasts at the beginning of the 1980s, headed by Karl-Heinrich Müller. Art and nature should be on an equal footing - the result is a park full of sculptures and exhibition pavilions, which stand individually in the designed landscape. We were delighted to discover, among all the buildings and sculptures, a building by the portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira - such a nice surprise!
In this hidden paradise we met Patricia Hepp on the last stop of our research trip through Germany. After visiting the south and Brandenburg, we were now also able to explore a small part of the west of Germany. Patricia and her husband Oliver Kruse started the kindergarden in 1999 together with a team. They designed it together and created and furnished an appropriate architecture for it.
A dirt road leads us to a large gate - the side entrance to "Insel Hombroich". Here, at the edge of the island, the kindergarden is situated, hidden behind a dense hedge and large trees. We were warmly welcomed by Patricia Hepp and felt very grateful to get the opportunity to visit this beautiful project and building, despite the global situation. A beautiful wooden facade shines through the leaves. Shadows are dancing in the sun. A space for 20 children. Together with two educators, they explore the potential of nature every day anew. A special concept, which also distinguishes the kindergarten from others: Toys are made of natural materials and are found right in front of the door, stones and trees that are wonderful to climb over and onto, bushes to play hide-and-seek with, sticks to build baskets, water to manoeuvre.
Patricia Hepp explains to us that the pedagogical concept aims at the social, artistic and musical development of the children and is thus in line with the basic idea of Museum Insel Hombroich: "Art parallel to nature". A unique space for the development of creativity. The many exhibits of the Museum Insel Hombroich in the park as well as in the buildings are experienced and explored by the children. Through involvement in the creative processes of artists at Museum Insel Hombroich, a strong basic understanding of art and its creation is thus sparked.
The simple building, which radiates warmth and security both inside and out, is made entirely of douglas fir wood. Architecture also plays an important role in the pedagogical concept. Conceptually, the building was developed as two structures shifted against each other - above each volume floats a slightly sloped, raised roof. The interior space thus flows into the exterior space, making it possible to spend time outside even in bad weather. The heart of the building is an open space with a kitchen. It is divided into rest and activity areas. On the upper floor one can find a dormitory and the kindergarden teachers' office.
What a great way to end our trip. We have been nourished by this visit for a long time and are very inspired by the place and the concept of Hombroich. It is very unusual to find a place where time seems to stand still and you can feel such a sense of peace and tranquility. Certainly the perfect place for growing up - one can only envy the children of Kinder Insel Hombroich!
Name: Patricia Hepp
Location: Hombroich, Germany
Type: Video
Photographs from Bildarchiv Foto Marburg / Tomas Riehle and Terushi Jimbo. Some by PIONIRA.
Video music by Matteo Silvestri
Posted: 19. March 2021
Categories: architect, germany, localism, plants, raw materials, rural future, social, sustainable design, women
The Kinder Insel is part of the "Museum Insel Hombroich" on the outskirts of Cologne. Together with her husband, Oliver Kruse, Patricia Hepp designed the kindergarden "Kinder Insel Hombroich" in 1999, and created and furnished a corresponding architecture for it. The architecture plays an important role in the educational concept. According to the motto "art parallel to nature", special emphasis is placed on the creative education of the children and the exploration of nature, and close cooperation is maintained with visual artists and musicians.
The "Kinder Insel Hombroich" is an extraordinary kindergarten. A place surrounded by art and nature. Embedded in the museum island of Hombroich, in the floodplain of the Erf, one of the most enchanting art locations in Europe. Immediately upon our arrival, we were enchanted by the lush greenery and fertility of this place. Nature grows as if in a primeval forest: a huge area with old trees, wide meadows between watercourses, and an apparently intact flora and fauna.
The establishment of the Insel Hombroich Foundation goes back to an initiative of a group of art collectors, artists and art enthusiasts at the beginning of the 1980s, headed by Karl-Heinrich Müller. Art and nature should be on an equal footing - the result is a park full of sculptures and exhibition pavilions, which stand individually in the designed landscape. We were delighted to discover, among all the buildings and sculptures, a building by the portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira - such a nice surprise!
In this hidden paradise we met Patricia Hepp on the last stop of our research trip through Germany. After parts of the south and Brandenburg, we were now able to also explore a small part of the west of Germany. Patricia and her husband Oliver Kruse started the kindergarten in 1999, designed it together and created and furnished an appropriate architecture for it.
A dirt road leads us to a large gate - the side entrance to "Insel Hombroich". Here at the edge of the island the kindergarten is situated, hidden behind a dense hedge and large trees. We were warmly welcomed by Patricia Hepp and felt very grateful to get the opportunity to visit this beautiful project and building, despite the global situation. A beautiful wooden facade shines through the leaves. Shadows are dancing in the sun. A space for 20 children. Together with two educators, they explore the potential of nature every day anew. A special concept which also distinguishes the kindergarten from others: Toys are made of natural materials and are found right in front of the door: stones and trees that are wonderful to climb over and onto, bushes to play hide-and-seek with, sticks to build baskets, water to maneuver.
Patricia Hepp explains to us that the pedagogical concept aims at the social, artistic and musical development of the children and is thus in line with the basic idea of Museum Insel Hombroich: "Art parallel to nature". A unique space for the development of creativity. The many exhibits of the Museum Insel Hombroich in the park as well as in the buildings are experienced and explored by the children. Through involvement in the creative processes of artists at Museum Insel Hombroich, a strong basic understanding of art and its creation is thus sparked.
The simple building, which radiates warmth and security both inside and out, is made entirely of Douglas fir wood. Architecture also plays an important role in the pedagogical concept. Conceptually, the building was developed as two structures shifted against each other - above each volume floats a slightly sloped, raised roof. The interior space thus flows into the exterior space, making it possible to spend time outside even in bad weather. The heart of the building is an open space with a kitchen. It is divided into rest and activity areas. On the upper floor one can find the a dormitory and the kindergarten teachers' office.
What a great way to end our trip. We have been nourished by this visit for a long time and are very inspired by the place and the concept of Hombroich. It is very unusual to find a place where time seems to stand still and you can feel such a sense of peace and tranquility. Certainly the perfect place for growing up - one can only envy the children of Kinder Insel Hombroich!
Name: Patricia Hepp
Location: Hombroich, Germany
Type: Video
Photographs from Bildarchiv Foto Marburg / Tomas Riehle and Terushi Jimbo. Some by PIONIRA.
Video music by Matteo Silvestri
Posted: 19. March 2021
Categories: architect, germany, localism, plants, raw materials, rural future, social, sustainable design, women
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