A Catholic kindergarten is being built in Szentendre, with a wooden “carousel” in its yard

Construction of the Szent András Kindergarten and Kindergarten in Szentendre on behalf of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest can begin soon. One of the most unique elements of the 1,500-square-meter building complex, partly covered with rustic stone, is the wooden “kerengő” reminiscent of monastery architecture, as well as the pergolas in the courtyard. The architectural plans were designed by Bálint Ásztai, Mester István, Tímea Földesi, STOA Építézműterem Kft., and Mester Építész Produced by Stúdió Kft.

In December 2020, the Szentendre municipality decided to support the plans of the Esztergom-Budapest Archdiocese to establish a Catholic kindergarten in the Izbég-Csicserkó district, at the intersection of Vasvári Pál utca and Fürj utca. As part of the project, the Főegyházmegye will also contribute 40 million forints to the development of the public area around the building, Szentendre’s official website wrote in an article about the public forum held on the project in June 2023, in which visual plans for the building complex were also shared. The architectural plans of the kindergarten Bálint Ásztai, Master István, Tímea Földesithe STOA Építészműterem Kft.and the Master Architect Studio Kft. notes.

According to the latest news, the construction of the building can begin soon, according to a document published in the EU public procurement notice on April 24, the contractor of the kindergarten has been found. The development will be implemented from HUF 1.2 billion over 14 months.

According to the document, a kindergarten with 4 group rooms and a nursery with 2 group rooms are planned to be created on the ground floor for barrier-free use. In addition to the educational functions, a large hall will also be created for joint programs of kindergartens and nurseries, puppet theater performances, celebrations and art programs. In the corner of the building, there is a 180-serving heating kitchen, and two 60-square-meter gymnasiums have been designed to ensure the children’s movement, which can even be opened after pulling the separating curtain. Outdoor exercise is ensured by several playgrounds in the courtyard. A large inner courtyard demarcated by a “circular” was created in a central location, which is connected to several covered terraces. The separation of the gardens enables the creation of thematic playgrounds.

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Visual design of Szent András Kindergarten and Kindergarten. The architectural plans were prepared by Bálint Ásztai, Mester István, Tímea Földesi, STOA Építészműterem Kft. and Mester Építész Stúdió Kft. Source: szentendre.hu

The institution can accommodate 120+28, i.e. 148 kindergarten and nursery school children. For the sake of sustainable development and economical operation, the building complex will use renewable energy with the help of solar panels, and an environmentally friendly heat pump solution will be used for heating and cooling, as well as domestic hot water production.

The facades are planned to be clad with a play of two types of stone: a smooth, regularly placed limestone slab and a rustically laid irregular mixed stone, and there will also be facades with precious plaster. The high roofs are covered with gray tiles, the flat roof surfaces are made with plastic waterproofing. Wood, as a material that gives warmth, appears in several places, in the “kerengő” framing the inner courtyard, as well as in the vertical pergolas.

Related public area development

Within the framework of a settlement agreement, the Főegyházmegye will contribute HUF 40 million gross to the development of public areas around the kindergarten, which will include the stormwater drainage of Vasvári Pál és Fürj utca, as well as the solid road surface. In order to alleviate the parking problems, in addition to the kindergarten’s private parking lot, the Archdiocese also provides additional public parking spaces on Vasvári Pál Street, Szentendre’s official website wrote in July 2023. The investment significantly changes the traffic load of the district, therefore the municipality a Mobilissimus Kft.entrusted him with surveys, investigations and the preparation of proposals related to the integration of the institution into the traffic environment. In accordance with the goals set out in the city protection, city beautification and city development program named after Emil Ábrányi, the residential community was also included in the spatial planning processes, the municipality wrote.