Kita Bitz, Baden-Württemberg, Germany daycare centre

Schnoga-Kiste Daycare Center in Bitz, South Germany

20 May 2026

Architects: Schaudt Architekten

Location: Bitz, Baden-Württemberg, south Germany

Photos by zooey braun FOTOGRAFIE

The new Schnoga-Kiste Daycare in Bitz blends seamlessly into the surrounding residential development along Wilhelmstraße as a single-story, sustainable timber building. The positioning of the building on the site creates a clear separation between the public and private outdoor areas.

The forecourt on the eastern edge of the site offers a welcoming reception for visitors and ensures a safe arrival for parents and children. At the same time, it establishes a connection to the public sports fields located behind the site. In the northeast of the building, externally used rooms serving the sports facilities are naturally integrated into the overall concept.

The daycare’s outdoor area is divided into different zones with a variety of nature-oriented play elements. In addition to direct outdoor access from each group room, the shared, sheltered inner courtyard forms the central heart of the new daycare center.

The covered main entrance leads into a light-filled, generously proportioned foyer, directly connected to the multipurpose room and the dining area. From this “piazza”, the southern and northern group areas can be reached within a short distance. Flexible play niches in the corridor areas and highly adaptable group room layouts create a diverse range of spaces for learning, playing, and staying that can be understood as a “third educator.” The SchnogaKiste daycare center provides a place of comfort and well-being for our youngest children under the age of three.

In response to the specific functional and educational requirements, the group areas are organized into clearly structured cluster units. Each unit includes a group room, a sleeping room, and a directly assigned sanitary area. The staff rooms are located in the southern wing, centrally positioned at the main entrance with a view of the forecourt.

The cluster structure is also reflected in the roof design, naturally articulating the building’s form. Skylights in the foyer and multipurpose room create a warm, light-filled atmosphere. Both inside and out, the building impresses with its highly reduced material palette, focusing on sustainable building materials.

Structurally, it is designed as a highly insulated timber construction with laminated beech columns, built to the KfW 40 energy efficiency standard, featuring full-surface photovoltaic panels on the roof and an air-to-water heat pump. Vertical timber cladding and large recessed window elements define the bright and welcoming appearance of the daycare center.

Inside, light-pigmented floors, wall surfaces, ceilings, and doors made of wood (locally sourced white fir) or clay-based dry construction ensure a warm and friendly atmosphere as well as a healthy indoor climate. Carefully placed color accents in both the
interior and exterior spaces provide targeted vibrancy, clear orientation, and an inviting atmosphere for children and visitors alike.