Outdoor Classroom by Studio Infinity
The client approached designers with a requirement to design a pre-primary school for about 80-100 students on a site, which was part of a commercial building abutting a large residential colony.
The material palette & overall design vocabulary was derived to be more earthen so that a human connection is achieved. Splashes of color were strategically used to highlight certain aspects of the design. The play of shadows cast by various pergolas helped in creating interesting visuals which keep changing as the day progresses.
In the age group that they were looking at, they realized that confining them in four walls of a classroom for a long time is not an idealistic scenario. Their energies have to be left free so that learning happens as a part of their natural growing process. This was their cue for design development. They decided to create a space that offers opportunities to learn and grow, not only in confined classes but also outside. Idea was to create an environment for a kid to absorb, explore and learn right from the point he/she enters the school premises. Thus evolved 'The Open Classroom'.
Designers mentioned that one of the first challenges was to deal with a total area of 3000 sq. ft. spread across 3 levels. Secondly, out of this total area, covered space was just 50%. During their initial discussions with the client, they made an attempt to understand their new ways of teaching and conducting classes.
The entire project focuses on creating opportunities for kids to keep learning and exploring throughout the day. All spaces are multifunctional, have kids’ centric graphics, blackboards for them to draw, pin-up panels for them to display, and elements inbuilt for them to sit, read and play which eventually will help them grow happily.
Project: Outdoor Classroom
Location: Thergaon, Pune
Design House: Studio Infinity
Principal Designer: Ar. Tushar Kothawade, Chiranjivi Lunkad
Photography: Atul Kanetkar
Gallery:
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