This Sustainable School Fosters Independence and Self-reliance

This Sustainable School Fosters Independence and Self-reliance | Biome Environmental Solutions

Posted On December 09 2024 Total Post Views :- 43

Sai Kirupa Special School provides specialized education and vocational training to children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other learning disabilities. For their new campus in Tirupur, this sustainable school envisioned a centre focused on the holistic development of students, fostering independence and self-reliance.

Editor’s Note: With the holistic and sensitive design approach, Sai Kirupa Special School sets the benchmark for reflecting inclusivity through architecture. This sustainable school shelters diversity and nurtures individual growth with its contemplative response toward the needs. The school’s simple yet functional and flexible design encourages young minds to bloom within. ~ Rajvi Dedakiya

This Sustainable School Fosters Independence and Self-reliance | Biome Environmental Solutions

Design Approach

The design of the campus reflects a thoughtful response to the diverse needs of its users. Thus, creating an environment that nurtures growth. Since the school operates under a charitable trust, donor funding plays a key role in realizing the project. As a result, the design needed to be flexible to allow for incremental, phased construction, contingent on the funding.

Zoning

The building’s design across two floors creates distinct functional zones for various uses. Meanwhile, it enables the incremental construction and swift operationalization of each phase. The g round floor houses the day school and has been completed in three phases.

The use of structural expansion joints facilitated these phases, with each section becoming functional as soon as builders completed it. This phased approach enabled users to give feedback. Thus, allowing the team to fine-tune the design based on real-life experience.

First Floor

The first floor comprises residential dormitories and classrooms for students with lesser dependency needs. This has been undertaken as the next phase. The building’s layout and orientation respond to the climate, maximizing the north and south facades, where simple shading reduces direct solar heat gain.

The simple rectangular plan creates a clear and navigable design for its users. Organized around a central open space, the building lays out into north and south wings. A central bridge between the two wings creates two smaller courtyards and doubles up as a stage for the front courtyard. This serves as a small amphitheatre with easy visitor access. The larger rear courtyard provides outdoor play and therapy spaces for students.

Open Courtyard

Thoughtful and functional transition spaces are worked into the plan at every level, aligning with the sensory needs of the students. The arcaded passages provide a transition from the open courtyard to the inside, while also becoming an edge with benches for indirect participation in the play activity.

Private Student Areas

The long passage breaks into smaller alcoves at the entrance of each classroom, creating pause points and providing strategic storage for bags, footwear, etc. Similarly, the administrative offices are located near the front, with direct access from the entrance. The building positions the more private student areas—classrooms, therapy rooms, and caretaker spaces—deeper within.

North and South Wing

The north wing contains self-sufficient units of eight classrooms each, designed to meet both academic and personal care needs. Since many students with ASD require toilet training, each classroom unit includes a dedicated toilet with adjoining spaces for changing and cleaning. Jaali walls in these areas ensure ample light and ventilation while maintaining privacy for children. Additionally, the south wing houses larger therapy rooms and a dining hall, supporting students’ developmental needs.

Circulation Paths

Experiential design elements enhance circulation paths throughout the building, including colored tile inserts that serve as visual cues, encouraging movement and motor skill development. These flooring inserts along the passage prompt students to hop and skip, enhancing both physical and cognitive growth.

Vibrant Tangram-patterned pause points paired with tiled inverted arch benches create memorable landmarks at the entrance of each classroom, aiding navigation through a distinct color scheme.

Climate Responsive Approach

In the harsh Tiruppur climate, tensile fabric shade sails cover both courtyards, providing comfortable open spaces for play and gathering. Meanwhile, the rear courtyard fosters both structured and unstructured play, as sensory paths and landscape elements stimulate students’ senses in a calm manner.

A bridge across a small pond promotes balance through play, while areas for group and individual activities encourage flexible interaction. Traditional play equipment, such as swings and slides, complement the sensory features.

The choice of materials and structural details responds to the local soil conditions and seismic requirements. Stones and boulders found on-site are used for the foundation. Meanwhile, the gravelly soil is utilized to make handmade adobe blocks.

The exposed masonry of these blocks creates a muted, earthy palette that offers a soothing visual experience. The rough texture of the walls, combined with the undulating jack arch ceiling, helps reduce ambient noise, providing a calm, sensory-friendly environment for students.

The site execution team’s attention to detail has been critical in incorporating many finer features envisioned in the design to create a truly holistic experience in the school.