The MIKADO project, located on the former Austrian Federal Forests site, represents one of the most significant construction developments undertaken by the municipality of St. Johann/Pongau to date. It brings together a range of social and infrastructural functions within an integrated spatial framework and is jointly commissioned by the municipality and “Hilfswerk Salzburg”.
The program includes a kindergarten, childcare facilities for young children, a senior day-care center, a central communal kitchen, as well as office and event spaces. The name MIKADO operates not merely as a title but as a conceptual metaphor, articulating the delicate balance and interdependence between different generations and uses, an interplay defined by relationships, proximity, and mutual support.
In response to the programmatic complexity, the design establishes an overarching spatial order structured through the conceptual pair “settlement” and “landscape.” These categories inform the division of the project into two primary building volumes, which are reconnected through a central “village square.” This space functions as a public interface for communication and encounter, forming the social and atmospheric core of the ensemble.
Beyond functional organization, this approach introduces a spatial and experiential duality: the “village square” as a dense, urbanized condition is complemented by the “landscape” as an open, programmatic field. Rather than opposing elements, these realms interact and reinforce each other, generating a cohesive and identity-forming urban condition.
The northern building, conceived as the “town house,” accommodates medical facilities, the senior day-care center, office spaces, and the central kitchen. Its positioning responds sensitively to the heterogeneous scale of the surrounding structures. Through a precise placement and subtly articulated facades, it establishes continuity with the existing context while simultaneously defining a distinct architectural address. The adjacent open space is shaped into a finely scaled village square, serving as an accessible and inviting meeting area.
The spatial definition of this square is achieved through clearly articulated edges and the deliberate positioning of the two main volumes. The mineral paving of the forecourt extends seamlessly into the ground floor foyers, reinforcing the public character and continuity between interior and exterior spaces.
Circulation is organized according to the principle of functional separation. The carefully designed access to the two-level underground parking garage, combined with surface parking, results in a clear and intuitive traffic system. This minimizes vehicular movement across the site and ensures short, direct routes to the building entrances. In particular, the childcare areas benefit from a safe and legible drop-off configuration without the need for reversing maneuvers.
The underground garage, providing a total of 94 parking spaces, physically and functionally connects both buildings. The upper level accommodates access for the central kitchen as well as parking for the kindergarten and nursery, while the lower level primarily serves the office and event facilities.
The southern building houses six kindergarten groups on the ground floor, with childcare facilities for younger children located on the upper level, including eight nursery groups and two mixed-age groups. Generous outdoor play areas, directly connected to the interior spaces, are complemented by a differentiated access system via ramps and service routes. The consistent orientation of group rooms toward an internal courtyard, combined with the interplay between interior and exterior, results in well-lit, clearly structured, and pedagogically high-quality environments.
In total, MIKADO will provide care for over 200 children and 20 seniors, while creating approximately 85 workplaces. The project’s integrative ambition is most evident in the shared village square, which serves as a central element of collective use and interaction across all user groups.
The scale and articulation of the two main volumes mediate between the project and its surroundings, ensuring a balanced integration both within the site and in relation to the adjacent neighborhood.
Sustainability constitutes a fundamental design principle. Energy-efficient building systems, the use of timber as the primary construction material, and natural finishes such as clay plaster and green roofs contribute significantly to the ecological performance and atmospheric quality of the project. The childcare facilities are designed in accordance with the “klimaaktiv Gold standard!”.
