The shift is from a traditional classroom-based learning environment to creating subject rooms and shared common programs that offer a varied environment for learning and collaboration between students and teachers. The attempt was to make the existing divisions of classrooms porous, combine common shared spaces and create non-traditional collaborative learning spaces like the courtyards, balconies, chill-out spaces along the circulation.

Design as a participatory process

There were workshops conducted by us, with the students, parent committees and teachers to understand their perception of ‘constants and change’ within school which were extremely interactive and informative. Existing concerns of structure, services, environmental concerns, reusing residential scaled spaces, retaining the character of a heritage building for accommodating spaces of flexible learning were very important considerations in the design process.

Vision for learning environments

Earlier fragmented residential programs had to be overlaid with learning environments, which was more porous and flexible. The need was to accommodate small group learning, outdoor-learning, lectures, project based learning, and distance learning, performance and music based learning, independent study, one-on-one learning, learning with technology.

The Structure

The walls of the building are constructed out of load bearing stone. The load bearing structure disappears on the higher floor as trusses support the lighter roof above enabling large span spaces for collective programs. It comprises of multipurpose rooms, which are used for performances, sports, yoga, seminars etc

The Original feature Flooring; Original flooring was retained and newer patterns by use of repetitive motifs observed were designed that bring together the heritage character and a contemporary language. Walls; certain walls were used as both storage and display within redundant doorways to maximize use of the floor space.

Ceiling; Dual source suspended lighting was designed across the rooms to highlight the rafters and jack arch ceilings to ensure revival of the heritage value of the structure. Doors and windows; were retained but restored. Old teak was sourced to revive the unique character of the interior and exterior elevations and facades of the building.

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