Seeds
A design idea competition floated by IIA Satara Center, focused on design of a prototype for the rural sector in Satara, Maharashtra.
The brief expanses over various sector that involves Education, Healthcare, Housing, Veterinary and Administrative.
The Education sector involves designing of 3 buildings, viz., a classroom, an Anganwaadi, and a primary school that are not only fits the given budget but also coincides with the surrounding context.
Seeds 0.1
the classroom
The brief demanded a prototypical model for a classroom that must be: Easy and simple to build, child-friendly, affordable, low maintenance, weather-resistant, and with the possibility for extension. Efficient and clever modular planning, treatment of openings and raised roof form create a generous and bright environment within the classroom. Passive thermal design is employed through the double-layered roof comprising Mangalore tiles on the top and terracotta tile at the bottom and cross ventilation through full-height windows. The cool air is pulled in from the large windows, while hot air is released out through perforations in the clay roof and windows between two roofs. A veranda space ties all the classrooms and becomes ideal semi-open space for a tropical climate to enjoy the surrounding landscape. Further, they act as an additional space for classrooms to spill out for various activities.
Seeds 0.2
the aanganwaadi
The dual scale of design prioritizes the needs of both children and caregivers: windows match the sightlines of all users, children have secure facilities indoors but yet have access to outdoor space, and caregivers may be inside with some children while easily being able to monitor those playing in the outside play area. Depending on the site conditions the building attaches open to sky courtyards with high compound walls extending from its peripheral band creating protected play areas for children. A double-layered roof shields the indoor spaces from solar radiation and a sloping roof assists, taking out collected hot air through cross ventilation.
The proposed Anganwadi will not only provide comfort but will also ensure a safe and healthy environment for the physical and psychological development of children and women in society.
Anganwadi centres are powerful spaces for social change. They play a critical role in the education, nutrition, and health of children; therefore, improving the learning environment through design can significantly improve the quality of services at these centers.
The design brief demanded a modular approach in designing the prototypical Anganwadi, where the modules can be used in multiple permutations and combinations irrespective of site conditions. Due to its simple grid system, the government can easily replicate this simple, low-cost model in the entire district and with the help of a tool kit or a design guide self-construction and self-production processes could be promoted. That way the design can address the multiple dimensions that are interrelated with education facilities: socio-cultural, environmental, and economic.
Seeds 0.3
the primary school
The brief demanded a prototypical model for a school that must be: Easy and simple to build, child-friendly, affordable, low maintenance and weather resistant.
A new learning place showcases well lit, ventilated classroom spaces and abundant open spaces to evoke a child’s imagination and enhance the sensorial experience. The design puts an outdoor learning experience before traditional classroom learning by blurring a boundary between indoor and outdoor. The very open layout and built form promote social and environmental interactions and are designed around a philosophy that values children’s right to play as well as learn. An emphasis on external play and engagement with the outdoor environment was instigated through external seating areas and a central open courtyard; seating space along the classroom walls provides a seat in the shade while creating places for the children to enjoy the outdoors. Fragmented built spaces generate plenty of open spaces to play around with, and construct various nooks of different spatial quality and sensorial experiences throughout the site.
The brief demanded a prototypical model for a school that must be: Easy and simple to build, child-friendly, affordable, low maintenance and weather resistant.
A new learning place showcases well lit, ventilated classroom spaces and abundant open spaces to evoke a child’s imagination and enhance the sensorial experience. The design puts an outdoor learning experience before traditional classroom learning by blurring a boundary between indoor and outdoor. The very open layout and built form promote social and environmental interactions and are designed around a philosophy that values children’s right to play as well as learn. An emphasis on external play and engagement with the outdoor environment was instigated through external seating areas and a central open courtyard; seating space along the classroom walls provides a seat in the shade while creating places for the children to enjoy the outdoors. Fragmented built spaces generate plenty of open spaces to play around with, and construct various nooks of different spatial quality and sensorial experiences throughout the site.
The brief demanded a prototypical model for a school that must be: Easy and simple to build, child-friendly, affordable, low maintenance and weather resistant.
A new learning place showcases well lit, ventilated classroom spaces and abundant open spaces to evoke a child’s imagination and enhance the sensorial experience. The design puts an outdoor learning experience before traditional classroom learning by blurring a boundary between indoor and outdoor. The very open layout and built form promote social and environmental interactions and are designed around a philosophy that values children’s right to play as well as learn. An emphasis on external play and engagement with the outdoor environment was instigated through external seating areas and a central open courtyard; seating space along the classroom walls provides a seat in the shade while creating places for the children to enjoy the outdoors. Fragmented built spaces generate plenty of open spaces to play around with, and construct various nooks of different spatial quality and sensorial experiences throughout the site.
The structure factors in the regional climate and has been designed in response to the tropical climate of Satara, with large openings on two sides to assist cross-ventilation and counter the climatic discomforts. The roof sits on steel rafters high above the classrooms to increase the airflow through the spaces below. The spacious volumes are flooded with light through the fully adjustable window louvre on the roof. Material vocabulary for the prototype structure echoes the low-income, low tech, local typology.
For:
IIA Satara Center
Location:
Satara, Maharashtra
Design Team:
Naomy Parikh
Saumil Patel
Caleb Ferro
Aishwarya Singhai
Chandan Bhat
Poorva Gupta