Kindergarten Galjevica in Ljubljana is the largest timber kindergarten in the Slovenian capital and at the same time one of the city’s most structurally demanding public timber construction projects. The building was realised as a modern educational and childcare facility using a consistent timber construction approach and represents the growing use of industrialised timber building systems in public educational architecture.

Timber Construction on Challenging Ground Conditions

Particular challenges resulted from the site’s geotechnically demanding marshland soil conditions. The comparatively lightweight timber structure proved to be a technically solution, reducing foundation loads while enabling an efficient construction process. The project demonstrates how modern engineered timber construction can be implemented precisely and reliably even under difficult site conditions.

Clear Structural Design and Functional Architecture

The architectural concept is based on a clearly expressed structural system and a functional spatial organisation. Visible timber surfaces define the interiors and create robust, durable spaces for everyday educational use. The construction combines architectural quality with a rational structural concept and a high degree of prefabrication.

Structural System and Material Use

The load-bearing structure consists primarily of Sylva™ CLT cross-laminated mass timber elements and glulam beams. In addition, steel elements were strategically integrated on the upper floor to achieve larger spans and high structural efficiency. In total, approximately 1,300 m³ of structural timber were used for the project.

Collaboration Between Stora Enso and CBD

Together with its long-standing partner CBD, Stora Enso supplied the load-bearing timber solutions for the project. CBD was responsible for the execution of the structural system and contributed its extensive expertise in engineered timber construction to the optimisation of the structure. The close collaboration between both companies enabled precise coordination between planning, prefabrication and installation — a key factor in the efficient delivery of the project.

Reference Project for Public Timber Construction

Kindergarten Galjevica demonstrates how demanding public buildings can be realised in timber construction in an economical, functional and structurally efficient way. At the same time, the project highlights the potential of prefabricated timber systems for complex educational buildings with high technical and functional requirements.