Features:

​

Entrance through a live foyer, well lit spaces ventilated with Venturi effect, classrooms with a connectivity to farming areas, floors arranged on half floor difference to reduce vertical circulation as well as to connect different spaces.

Design Brief:

​

Kindergarten to be designed on Montessori teaching methods and classes 1-3 to be designed for the conventional. Access to farming areas, large dining facility and mobility with entry to buses and other vehicles.

Design Intervention:

​

For this site in hot and dry climate with roads and two sides and access to buses, a large metal trellis with creepers was proposed as entrance Foyer. A pedestrian entry from each side allowed safe access to this foyer. In order to satisfy the brief on the very tight site area, we organized the kindergarten rooms in a variety of spaces which promoted Montessori learning as well as included parts of natural surroundings. Playground placed in the wind direction and a central courtyard on the other side would ensure steady ventilation while shading all the areas from direct sunlight. Various shading devices and horizontal elements to grow plants ensured an alive and growing
landscape with sufficient shading and evaporative cooling.

Our take away:

​

Imagine entering a school building through a flowering green canopy… and if you looked at the stepped terraces above, you might see your favorite vegetables hanging from different trellises! Designing harmoniously in a limited site area with climatic and green considerations was our intent
and we were able to achieve it with a balance of playfulness and serenity. Later, as clients kept increasing the number of rooms and floors and removing the play areas and green areas, we found that the child and its education was not of essence here and that was the end of our involvement in the project.