Archikon Architects has designed and renovated Hungary's first smart kindergarten from a prefabricated panel structure with sustainable solutions in Budapest, Hungary.

The idea behind the renewal of the Gyöngyszem Kindergarten was to show that a prefabricated nursery can be transformed into an environmentally and energy-conscious, sustainable, playful and liveable space, in a way that allows for a unique smart building and a smart education program.

The District XIII Municipality has decided to renovate and extend the building, which was in a dilapidated state, due to functional problems, small interiors, lack of common areas and interconnected spaces, and a poor circulation system, along with the need for energy modernisation and accessibility.

The existing building was a flat-roofed roof single-story, built from prefabricated reinforced concrete elements and concrete panels, according to popular technological trends of the time.

The building was retained, but a new floor was added, where the materials included load-bearing walls from brick, the curtainwall with timber and the additional terrace structure from steel frames.

This project has been longlisted in the education project category of Dezeen Awards 2025.

Studio: Archikon Architects
Project: Gyöngyszem Kindergarten
Credits: PHQ, Éki Terv, AP Lightworks, Fireeng, Miskolczy Energiaterv, Municipality of Budapest 13th District and Build It Mérnökiroda