Kinder Rain: a kindergarten shaped like a small village
Located within a green setting in Italy, Kinder Rain by AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi is conceived as a kindergarten structured around a series of pyramidal volumes arranged as a small architectural ensemble. The project reinterprets the spatial logic of a village, organizing classrooms around open courtyards that function as transitional and collective spaces.
The design draws from the archetype of the Casone Veneto, the vernacular rural dwelling traditionally used by farmers and fishermen in the Veneto region. Its distinctive pitched roof form informs the geometry of the kindergarten’s three classrooms, which emerge as articulated volumes within a continuous terracotta envelope. The exterior materiality references clay construction and tiled roofing, connecting the building to regional building traditions.
At the base, a pigmented concrete bench traces the perimeter of the structure. This element mediates between architecture and landscape, operating simultaneously as seating, threshold, and informal gathering space. It establishes a gradual transition between interior learning environments and exterior play areas.
all images by Alex Shoots Buildings
AACM’s design employs an interplay of solids and voids
Although the building presents a compact appearance, its spatial organization is defined by a calibrated relationship between solids and voids. Each classroom extends outward into a protected outdoor patio, creating semi-enclosed spaces for open-air learning. Inwardly, the classrooms orient toward a central shared space conceived as an internal agorà. This collective zone supports informal interaction and visual continuity across the plan.
Sightlines connect classrooms, patios, and the surrounding garden, reinforcing spatial permeability. A zenithal skylight introduces natural light from above, marking the passage of time across the textured wooden ceiling. The ceiling material recalls traditional thatched constructions while translating them into a contemporary architectural language.
Through its volumetric composition, material references, and integration of indoor and outdoor spaces, Kinder Rain by studio AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi establishes a dialogue between vernacular precedents and current educational models. The project operates as a constructed landscape that combines regional memory with contemporary spatial organization.
Kinder Rain is organized as a cluster of pyramidal volumes set within a green landscape in Italy
the kindergarten is conceived as a small architectural village structured around open courtyards
three pitched volumes define the classrooms within a continuous terracotta envelope
the project reinterprets the spatial logic of the traditional Casone Veneto dwelling
terracotta surfaces reference regional clay construction and tiled roofs
the project integrates indoor and outdoor learning environments within a cohesive layout
the building’s geometry echoes vernacular rural forms through simplified pyramidal profiles
open courtyards function as transitional and collective learning spaces
outdoor patios extend each classroom into protected open-air environments
a pigmented concrete bench traces the base of the structure
the perimeter bench acts as seating, threshold, and informal gathering element
a zenithal skylight introduces controlled daylight from above
the textured wood ceiling references traditional thatched roof construction
project info:
name: Kinder Rain
architect: AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi | @aacm_studio
location: via Ragazzi del ‘99, Piove di Sacco (PD), Italy
area: 672 sqm
lead architects: Arch. Ing. Rodolfo Morandi, Arch. Nicolò Chinello
partner in charge: Arch. Ing. Rodolfo Morandi
design team: AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi Arch. Nicolò Chinello, Arch. Francesco Deiro, Arch. Filippo Fradellin, Arch. Karla Car, Arch. Eleonora Zanirato, Dott. Giacomo Schiavon, Dott. Giulia Raccamari, Dott. Tommaso Nicoli
structural engineering: BUROMILAN (Milan Ingegneria S.p.a.)
MEP: Studio Associato Periti Industriali Albiero & Luise
safety coordinator: CSP – Arch. Massimo Carta Mantiglia Pasini CSE – Ing. Giulio Cibola
D.L.: AACM – Atelier Architettura Chinello Morandi Arch. Ing. Rodolfo Morandi
testing and inspections: Ing. Francesca Saltarin
contracting authority: Città di Piove di Sacco
head of department: Geom. Freddy Sambin
RUP: Ing. Giulia Da Re, Geom. Freddy Sambin (Responsible for the Procedure)
technical support unit: Ing. Laura Coccato
mayor: Lucia Pizzo (since June 2023), Davide Gianella (until June 2023)
general contractor: Cooperativa Meolese Soc. Coop.
mechanical, electrical and plumbing: Fitekno impianti srl
window, doors, and metal details: Marinello group srl
lighting: Nobile illuminazione
structural concrete and external pavings in draining concrete: Superbeton srl
wooden structures: Zoppelletto srl
brick facade: Fornace Sant’Anselmo srl
concrete prefab. facade elements: Pellizzari Prefabbricati srl
plaster and false ceiling: Colve srl
skylights: Velux
wooden false ceiling: Celenit
drawings: AACM
mock-ups: Fornace Sant’Anselmo srl
photographer, videographer: Alex Shoots Buildings | @alex.shoots.buildings
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
The post a cluster of terracotta-tiled pyramidal houses envelopes kindergarten in italy appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.