Nursery Kunterbunt, Babenhausen
Ecker Architekten

At first glance, the name “Kunterbunt”—German for “colorful”—may seem at odds with the center’s subdued appearance. Light gray tones dominate walls, ceilings, floors, and exposed concrete surfaces. But it is precisely this visual calm that provides a generous stage for the children’s imagination. Where color does appear—on oversized yellow light fixtures, doors, or storage units—it’s used purposefully and sparingly.

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide ample natural light, reinforcing the center’s sense of openness. Sliding doors between group rooms allow flexibility and freedom of movement, reflecting the day care center’s open pedagogical concept. The building’s room heights and rhythms were designed from the perspective of a child, encouraging independent discovery and interaction.

The day care center is composed of four volumes arranged around a central movement and dining space. These core areas connect the group rooms for children aged one to three in the southern wing, and those for children aged three to seven in the northern wing. Generous glazing brings the outdoors inside and visually connects the different zones.

Thanks to its flat volumes and carefully articulated floor plan, the building subtly structures the surrounding outdoor areas: a playground with fixed equipment on one side, and a nature-oriented garden on the other. In 2015, Robert Piotrowski received the INsider Award for best interior design—a testament to the spatial clarity and depth the project offers beneath its humble exterior.

For a space designed to be both safe and aesthetically coherent, Ecker Architekten turned to the FSB 1144 model by Jasper Morrison. Known for his refined minimalism, Morrison’s design offers soft contours that are easy to grasp—for both small and large hands. Made of stainless steel, the handles blend seamlessly into the soft gray palette of the architecture, supporting the overall sense of clarity, calm, and tactile comfort.