CONSISTENT PROJECT APPROACH

V & B: Is it normal that as a developer in the public sector you construct, rent out and operate a building? How does that work with the three nursery schools that you are building?

J. Berger: The Ennepetal local authorities organised an investor competition for three nursery schools. We purchased all three plots of land and had the nurseries built. After completion, we will rent out the nurseries to the respective sponsors for a period of 20 years. If the sponsors drop out, it's up to the local authorities to find a new sponsor.

V & B: The speed and sustainability with which the building was constructed was adetermining argument for winning the competition. Why were you better than other sin this respect? What was the decisive factor for your design?

C. Rinsdorf: We put that down to the advantages of building with wood, which makes it possible for us to streamline the design and implementation phase. Of course, we also save time through the high degree of prefabrication and in the implementation itself, for example by reducing the drying times as a whole.

V & B: How important is “nursery school architecture” when you think about future volumes of orders for local authorities? From your point of view, is it worth specialising in timber frame designs?

J. Berger: Absolutely! Timber engineering projects represent our core competence. In the case of public authorities, we have noticed an increasing openness to timberengineering and the related advantages. Finally, the notion of “healthy interior spaces” also plays a prominent role with nursery schools.

V & B: During the planning phase, the different requirements of the operator and architecthad to be aligned with those of the investor and operator. What was the key to success here?

C. Rinsdorf: Through long-term cooperation with our partners, for instance with the company Materio, we were able to commit to accepting short construction times. Our working relationship is founded on careful preliminary planning which brings all interests to the table, including those of later users. This literally pays off, at the latest, during operation of the completed property.

V & B: What were the reasons behind the decision to install the O.novo Kids range by Villeroy & Boch?

C. Rinsdorf: In addition to its high-quality ceramics, this bathroom collection consistently meets both the ergonomic and educational requirements demanded by child-friendly design. Washbasins with different heights and signal colours drawing attention to their function are implemented here, for example, and encourage children to learn for themselves.

Comparison of timber engineering and solid construction completion times