When they were approached to build a school on the 20,000 square metre site in the backdrop of the Bannerghatta National Park, the duo knew that this project was going to be different.
Not wanting to turn a lush, green site near Bannerghatta National Park into a concrete structure, the duo decided to do justice to the “land and city of Bengaluru”, and make it a nature lover's dream.
They designed it into a natural learning environment for children, all while managing to save 90% of the trees on the property. This allowed nature to guide the building's layout and create beautiful transitional spaces throughout the campus.
Classrooms were thoughtfully made to blend with the surrounding landscape. The school even features its own rainwater harvesting channel and gardens, giving children the opportunity to learn outside the traditional lecture room.
“The terrace is in sync with nature with leaves peeking out of punctures in the floorplate, allowing children the opportunity to play among the treetops,” says Akanksha.
The duo also incorporated upcycled materials and exposed brickwork into their design. “The reason was that it is fairly permanent in nature so the life cycle of the building increases. You don’t have to keep painting it up every year,” says Saurabh.
The school features open-air classrooms and amphitheatres, designed to promote collaborative learning. This layout encourages students to engage in discussions and activities outdoors, learning creativity and teamwork while absorbing the natural beauty around them.
Saurabh and Akanksha also focused on community involvement by planning workshops and events that invite parents and locals to participate in sustainability initiatives.
“There are a lot of things we can learn from nature and I believe that if given the opportunity, the students will feel inspired to preserve and protect nature,” says Saurabh.