The design of schools has evolved since ancient times, when they were initially focused on learning amidst and within nature. While, over time and with innovations, the design of schools has gradually and drastically changed. As time the awareness of education has increased, and the need for spaces has also changed. The design of schools has become more engaging and communicative. The architects build the school buildings using different materials that suit the local climate and reflect the surrounding culture. The design of schools has even become more colorful and dynamic with the approach of creating a subtle environment for learning. Looking at such 15 designs of schools, we can know how it affects the learning environment for children.
1. Geneva Liberal School, Ahmedabad
Located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, it was near the SP ring road, which presented its challenges regarding noise exposure and environmental impact.
Design Atelier designed the school with a focus on spatial fluidity, environmental responsiveness, and user well-being. They oriented the building to maximize daylighting and integrated natural ventilation strategies to reduce reliance on mechanical systems. Also, they have used locally sourced materials, low-carbon construction techniques.
2. Lala Kamalapat Singhania Public School, Nimbahera, Rajasthan, India
Designed by R+D studio, in the Nimbahera area of Rajasthan, is a post-independence educational institution, built with rubble masonry, that stands as a symbol of resilience and functional pragmatism in the design of schools.
The design of the school has a spatial fluidity that connects the historic and contemporary parts of the building. The designers crafted the in-between movement to create a cohesive approach to the spaces. They have used the locally available material, nimbahera stone, and stucco work that makes it resilient to the old structures of the design of the school.
3. Millennium World School, Hassan, Karnataka
Designed by Roadhouse Architects, this design of school is located in Hassan, Karnataka. It has a courtyard surrounded by stacks of classroom rows with endless corridors.
The courtyard is a space that nurtures curiosity and child-like wonder, which provides physical and psychological safety. Here, the courtyard binds the building in such a way that the learning environment becomes communicative with children. As the building lines up the north axis on the outskirts of Hassan, it offers a great view and the surroundings of the lake and mountains. Such an atmosphere connects children with nature while being in the architectural premises.
4. Flood Affected School at Kelthan Village, Palghar, Maharashtra
UnTAG Architects designed the school at Kelthan village, Maharashtra. The design of the school spans 1 acre of land in the northeast corner of the site with solar passive design strategies.
The design of the school is on stilts that prevent the flood waters from entering the school premises. While looking out for light and ventilation, there is a north-light roof with three well-lit, cross-ventilated classrooms. The construction of the school is made with locally baked red bricks laid in a rat-trap bond. This reduces the brick quantum while providing thermal insulation to classrooms.
5. C.A.H.S. School, Ayakkad, Kerala
Studio Acis designed the school in Ayakkad, Kerala, situating it amidst paddy fields to embrace heritage design, native architecture, and local tradition.
Keeping in mind the overall master plan, it was divided into six phases. Those include preservation, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, new construction, and renovation. The design of the school has meeting rooms, classrooms, and a flexible auditorium. Additionally, the team carefully plans and efficiently crafts these spaces, segregating them to ensure effective management.
6. Genesis International School, Turkayamjal, Hyderabad
Designed by Studio Sacred Geometry in Turkayamjal, Hyderabad, this design of the school is an example of thoughtful spatial planning and materiality that transforms educational spaces into nurturing environments that foster community and sustainability.
In this school design, the architects elevate the spatial experience by employing a U-shaped plan that fills the green courtyard with sunlight, creating an uplifting environment for the children. They integrate the contemporary design with local vernacular techniques, using brick patterns and geometric forms to root the structure in its cultural context. This helps the facade to be striking with traditional craftsmanship.
7. Talaricheruvu Rural School, Andhra Pradesh
Designed by CollectiveProject, this design of school is located in Talaricheruvu , Andhra Pradesh. Designed for the children of cement factory workers, this building prototype has 16 classrooms, a library, two labs and external bathrooms.
This design of the school has spaces that interact with the activities of teachers and students. The building has facades with jalis and windows that allow cross ventilation and natural light in learning spaces. The outdoors have a bamboo canopy with metal supports that connect pavilions to the internal spaces. Additionally, these structures reduce the temperature of the area to a certain extent, making it habitable for the children.
8. Garden School, Mumbai
Designed by JDAP Studios, this design of the school is situated amidst the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra. It forms a confined space with beautiful interiors as a learning space for children.
Working with a constrained footprint, the architects designed the school vertically. They incorporated a ramp that wraps around the classrooms, transforming it into a playful and interactive space for students. The playfulness of the ramp created interesting spaces along with the inverted beams on the edge. These gave out various opportunities to carry out extracurricular activities.
9. Sai Kirupa Special School, Tiruppur
Designed by Biome Environmental Solution, this school is located in Tiruppur. It is designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing educational and vocational training.
The design of the school has very simple approaches to shade, reducing the direct solar heat gain. It is directed in the orientation that responds to the climate, maximizing the north and south facades. The building has a central open space that is surrounded by a rectangular plan that creates a clear and navigable design for users. A central bridge acting as a small Amphitheatre connects two wings with smaller courtyards.
10. Cocoon Pre-Primary Extension at Bloomingdale International School, Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh
Designed by andblack design studio, this school is located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The design highlights the transformative power of parametric architecture in pushing the boundaries of education and challenging conventional norms.
This design of the school brings the built form, landscape, and interiors together into a single entity, using non-conventional spatial organization, modern technology, and robust materials. Fostering the concept of free-flowing classrooms, the layout is fluid with interconnected spaces.
11. Blossom Nursery School, West Bengal
Designed by URBANA, this school is located in Salboni, West Midnapore, West Bengal. It is designed with the sensitive concept of learning in groups through communication.
The building is surrounded by a central courtyard that has internal gateways as well as an approach to the outdoors. The design of the school has classrooms organized in clusters, connected by a common corridor under one roof. Additionally, the roof has punctures in different common spaces to allow the sun and rain to initiate bond with different attributes of weather.
12. Bandhan Residential School of Business, Kankalitalia
Designed by Abin Design Studio, the school is located in Kankalitalia. The structure is designed within the trees that imbibe historic culture.
A versatile learning space is created with local craftsmen’s skills in construction and materials. The use of concrete and bricks in the façade makes it more convincing as a building, with the approach to blend in with the context. The design of the school has facades that are masses and voids carved out of mounds. It shows brick construction with façade patterns integrated into the brickwork itself.
13. Elementary and Middle School, Bhilwara
Designed by Sferablu Architects, this school is located in the Bhilwara region of India. The building is located in the urban landscape of the city, which has open spaces inspired by nature.
This design of the school has an exterior façade with multiple punctures, tiny window panels to maintain virtual connectivity. The design has a sloping roof structure for the entire building that is a garden interconnecting each floor. Additionally, the flat area of the roof is used as the cycling track.
14. KLE Sanskruti Pre-Primary School, Nipani, Karnataka
Designed by Shreyas Patil Architects, this school is located in Nipani, Karnataka. The design has a vibrant massed façade that has a quality of rudimentary shapes and geometries.
The design of the school has a sloping roof with a triangular top. Whereas there is a dual entrance on the southern front that allows the movement. Along with the centrally positioned principal’s cabin and nursery play area.
15. Montessori School, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Designed by Atelier ARBO, this school is located in the city of Mumbai. This school is located within an old industrial complex used for commercial units. As it is far away from the road, it has a quiet atmosphere.
The interior spaces emphasize an open plan layout from the main entrance to the play area and to the classrooms. This design of the school has furniture designed according to the children’s comfort and reach. Each has a specific size and proportion, due to which the place is formed as its own.
Conclusion
Looking at the above example of the design of schools, we can see how context and culture affect the construction and space planning. Along with the method of construction, locally available materials and the technology are used to support every new concept of learning in a peaceful environment. The design of schools tells us how learning and architecture can combine and be a part of the future for children. When learning becomes the core part of the design concept, one can have such beautifully carved spaces with different innovations in the design of the schools.
