
The project was awarded the IIA-Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Award for Excellence in Rural Architecture
The buildings have been placed in an organic plan to economize on site area. Good quality solid concrete blocks were manufactured on site by the Hasan, Nirmitte Kendra on site so as to avoid the plastering completely. Built in seating is provided in the classrooms, dining area around the play area etc. Filler slab with second class Mangalore tiles as filler has been used in the hostel block and kitchen block. Jack arch roofing is used in the toilet areas. Mangalore tile roofing has been used for the classrooms, kitchen block etc. The toilets with the hostel have colorful FRP roofs. No taps have been provided in the toilets to conserve water. The water from the bathrooms goes to the small kitchen garden in the campus where the children grow the vegetables. In the classrooms the walls are up to 7’ only. Clay Jalis are put above 7’ to ensure light and ventilation, giving economy at the same time. The plan encloses a cultural space which is used for all types of functions etc. wherein the plinth serves as the seating for the students.
This school is meant for children of 6-10 years of age of economically weaker sections. These children used to refuse to come to school. Hence an environment was to be created to lure the children to attend school and also encourage the parents to send their children to the school.
There are 4 class rooms, each of a different geometrical shape – circle, pentagon, trapezoid etc. They were put floating underneath a long curvaceous free flowing pavilion with Mangalore tile roof. The balance area under the pavilion acts as spillover spaces for the classrooms. Each classroom has a 10’ wooden door to open out. The whole effect is of a very informal setting with brightly coloured yellow, vermillion, blue etc. Built in seating is also provided in the classrooms.
The dining area is an open pavilion with built in seating and is used for various other uses — Gatherings, yoga, special classes, shelter for parents etc.
The two storied hostel block has only two doors – one main entrance and one which leads to the toilets. Meant for 100 students, it has enclosures varying in shape and size with spaces virtually flowing into each other. This enables the warden on the first floor to monitor all the children effectively.
The eight baths and eight WC’s are accommodated in 4 cylinders with colorful FRP umbrellas as roofs. To conserve water taps have been avoided in individual toilet as children tend to leave the taps open. The staircase has 4” risers to make it children friendly.