The element-i childcare centre Gummi-Bärchen is located directly on the banks of the small Alb river in Karlsruhe and was built on the initiative of the Michelin company.
The house is a light-flooded, two-storey building with a sturdy solid wood construction. The rooms and common areas are designed according to the latest pedagogical findings for working with children. On the ground floor and first floor there are numerous play and rest areas. The directly accessible outdoor play area with partially covered work yards enables creative outdoor work in almost any weather.
Ecological challenges were accepted and mastered during construction and operation. In addition to the energy-saving timber construction, heating and hot water are provided by a geothermal heat exchanger. In addition, 88 photovoltaic modules were installed on the flat roof of the daycare centre, which generate a large proportion of its own electricity requirements from solar energy. When painting the interior, emphasis was placed on the use of ecological and pollutant-free paints.
The element-i Gummi-Bärchen childcare centre is certified by the Kinder forschen Foundation.