Even from afar, on the outskirts of Madrid the “Plaza Ecópolis” kindergarten gleams in a sunny yellow – designed by Spanish architects Ecosistema Urbano. Despite being a massive-looking structure with three main floors cast in fair-face concrete, the cool industrial look is repeatedly undermined by the stretches of yellow color that cut across the ceilings, walls and floors both in the interior and on the outside. Over fifty percent of the building is beneath the earth, ensuring the kindergarten benefits from geothermal warmth while also being cooled by the earth. A pond with a macrophytic system in the garden helps water processing and is one reason why the building was awarded the highest Spanish eco-label of being “A grade”. The choice of floor coverings is also a matter of sustainable design: the interior features bright gray and sunny yellow DLW linoleum made by Armstrong, as this robust material endures the impact of children messing about, of objects falling around and kid’s vehicles being driven over it. Moreover, DLW linoleum is fully consistent with sustainable building as eighty percent of the material can be recycled – it wins Germany’s “Blue Angel” award. The staircases, ramps, slides and sand boxes in and around the building definitely encourage kids to explore and play. “Plaza Ecópolis” sees itself as an open structure and is open to the public.
