An interactive early learning habitat
Project: Supaksha, Nursery School, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi Architects: ENAR Consultants, New Delhi
Design Intent: The idea behind this project was to create a space that would be inspiring, stress- free and close to nature for children. The main requisite was to design natural looking spaces and minimise the use of technological teaching aids. The team wanted to recreate snippets of nature for the toddlers, where they could get to experience various animals and birds in their natural environment. A concept was thus proposed that included interactive classrooms, wherein the kids could learn outside of a fixed curriculum. The school is an ‘ early learning habitat’, and each space is modelled on a naturally occurring ecosystem or habitat.
Design Development: Exterior
The building block has been evolved from two adjacent broken- down rectangles, while adhering to the building byelaws of the site. The major addition and subtraction in the building form has been made in the rear and the middle right for natural light and ventilation, which have been constantly maintained throughout the structure. Similar voids have been added on the exterior façade to break the rhythm and pattern of the building envelope, hence creating a bit of drama on the front and rear facades. These additive voids are fully glazed to let natural sunlight inside the building. The façade is also treated with alternately placed windows in a staggered manner to break the monotony. The achieved façade is further treated with colors of the school logo and jaalis. Final touches in material and texture are given.
Materials used on the outer façade are dominantly Laminam, Clear Glass and Laminated Lacquered Glass. Metal is used for framing the jaali design, which is evolved from Piet Mondrian’s famous artwork, and highlighted with the colours of the school logo— emerald green, orange red and pantone yellow. Stone cladding at higher places