03 Aug 2019
Faculty coordinators: Ar. Sanjeev N Koppar, Ar. Rajesh Malik, Ar. Neeraja Jayan, Ar. Murali J, Ar. Shilpa M Prabhu, Ar. Prerana Hazarika
Course: Architectural Design, Semester III
Attended by:
School of Architecture, REVA University conducted a case study on primary school design in Delhi Public School, Whitefield. The school complex is built upon six acres of land comprising of two blocks. Designed by renowned Architects Khosla Associates, the design experiments with different forms involving screening of sunshine with traditional terra cotta jaalis and infusion of natural ventilation and lighting. The design was adjudged the winner of the Inside Awards Education Category at the World Architecture Festival and World Festival of Interiors held at Singapore in Oct, 2013.
The students were given a brief insight into the school complex’s design by the accompanying faculty members.The complex has two separate blocks, one for students from LKG to 4th standard, while the second block accommodates students from 5th to 12th standard. Our study was mainly confined to the Primary school block. The infrastructure included facilities like computer labs, science labs, library and canteen. All classrooms are well ventilated and amply lit and were equipped with projectors and speakers.
The students were divided into groups of four to five members and assigned the task of documenting the master plan, parking layout, plot area dimensions, measurement of rooms & furniture details, lighting, floor plans, views, circulation pattern, fenestration details, elevations, choice of materials used and sections.
The structure is based on a concrete module with corrugated sheet metal walls. The building’s key features included a rich colour palette inspired by regional architecture and textiles, terracotta jaalis used as perforated external building skin that facilitated adequate cross ventilation and cut down the harsh western sun and a passageway leading into a central, linear open-to-sky courtyard, which was the soul of the design. Another striking feature of the building was the formation of decorative shadows by the terra cotta jaalis, inspired from traditional Indian Islamic architecture.
The importance of using low cost materials in the design was explained to the students, further providing them an insight into microclimatic wellbeing, which was obtained with an efficient approach to energy consumption. This was achieved by alternation between infills and openings with the aim of creating cross ventilation between the blocks and the courtyards.
It was an enriching experience for both students and faculty members in witnessing one of the finest examples of low cost vernacular style school architecture.
We would like to thank our beloved Chancellor, Dr. P. ShyamaRaju sir for providing all facilities and support to organize this case study. We also thank Vice Chancellor Dr.S.Y.Kulkarni sir, Advisor, Dr. V.G.Talawar sir, Registrar Dr. M. Dhanamjaya sir, and Dean-Training, Placement and Planning, Dr. N. Ramesh sir, for their motivation, help and support in making this case study a grand success. We also thank our Director, School of Architecture, Dr. Vimala Swamy, for her constant support and guidance.
