Located in rural Andhra Pradesh, a hot and dry region in Southern India, our proposal of this school architecture re-envisions a fifteen-year-old “L”-shaped school building into a vibrant and empowering learning environment for the children of cement factory workers. The existing structure, sited in the rear corner of a barren two-acre property, was structurally sound but in semi-disrepair, with no shade other than a few trees along the site wall for the students to escape the intense sun during afternoon breaks.
Editor’s Note: “The CollectiveProject innovatively converts an existing building in rural Andhra Pradesh into a vibrant learning environment. The design incorporates bamboo canopies and jali facades with locally sourced materials to allow natural light and ventilation, adapting to the climate conditions. Expanded spaces develop education, culture, and community, making it a sustainable and replicable prototype for schools in remote areas.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This School Architecture Re-envisions Into An Empowering Learning Environment | CollectiveProject
The interior spaces, with little natural light and ventilation, were divided into sixteen oversized classrooms, a library that doubled as a faculty room, two labs and external bathrooms that were difficult for the children to access due to distance and a circuitous path.
The client brief, given by the Penna Foundation, was to create a prototype design that could be implemented at other regional cement factories, using well-designed spaces and extracurricular programs as an attractor for teachers who otherwise do not consider relocating to the remote area.
As a response, our approach was to create a responsive, playful design that would directly impact the quality of education and experience of the students and teachers. To achieve this, the school program was expanded beyond the Indian government-required K-10 curriculum to include vocational training, sports, and the arts.
Building on the existing structure, the design team refined and modified the façade, incorporating jalis (porous masonry screens) and strategically placing windows to allow cross ventilation and balance natural light in the learning spaces.
The internal layout was reworked to create twenty-four classrooms, two faculty lounges, three labs, and two multi-purpose libraries. Rather than expanding with heavy infrastructure, they conceived the additional programs as independent pavilions. These pavilions include a kitchen, cafeteria, AV hall, preschool, kindergarten, art room, bathrooms, and bicycle parking.
An expansive bamboo canopy now covers the outdoor areas, making them usable despite the heat, as temperatures often reach over 43°C (109°F). Supported by a lightweight branching metal framework, it seamlessly connects the pavilions with the existing structure.
The team sourced 12,000 fifteen-foot bamboo poles locally through government forestry programs and then seasoned them on-site. Thus, ensuring long-term durability and suitability for the climate.
The covered areas serve as multi-purpose spaces for school-wide gatherings and outdoor teaching events. Moreover, they transform throughout the day as shadow patterns shift with the sun.
The subtle use of colour plays an essential role in the school experience, with pale pinks, greens, and blues. Additionally, it complements the arid context’s earth tones, while the façade features a light cement wash sourced from the adjacent factory.
The project uses Kadappa black limestone flooring. Moreover, it uses waste material sourced from a neighboring village as local quarries process the stone.
The construction took place over six years while the school remained active to not disrupt the children’s education. The head engineers from the cement factory carefully guided laborers from nearby villages to execute the works, rather than relying on professional contractors for this school architecture.
Fact File
Designed by: CollectiveProject
Project Type: Educational Architecture Design
Project Name: Talaricheruvu Rural School
Location: Talaricheruvu, Andhra Pradesh
Year Built: 2022
Built-up Area: 40000 Sq.ft
Design Team: Cyrus Patell, Eliza Higgins & Saniya Jejani
Photograph Courtesy: Benjamin Hosking & Vivek Eadara
Clients: Penna Foundation
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: CollectiveProject
Firm’s Instagram Link: CollectiveProject
For Similar Projects >> The Rajakumari Ratnavati Girl’s School – An Architectural Marvel
In the vibrant town of Kannur, Kerala, the contemporary house design of this residence is more than a home—it’s a sanctuary designed to nurture both body and soul. Built for a family of five, it blends minimalist elegance with everyday comfort, creating a space that feels alive, welcoming, and deeply connected to nature. Editor’s Note: […]
True to its name, Retreat Home by Neogenesis+Studi0261 is a getaway home to escape the frenzied hustle and bustle of city life. A holiday home to a diamond merchant in Surat, this elemental yet contemporary house has been designed to embrace extended families, making room for warm interactions as it seamlessly connects the indoors with […]
The one-acre site of Saukhya Farm is nestled in the lush valley of Beze Village, on the outskirts of Nashik. Surrounded by small farms, it offers sweeping views of Beze Dam and the surrounding hills. The clients’ brief was to transform the site into a farmhouse and to cultivate part of it into an orchard. Work […]
Nestled on the bustling Karnavati Road in Ahmedabad, this modern residence spans over a 10,881 sq. ft. corner plot, seamlessly integrating form, function, and tranquility. The house is thoughtfully planned in an L-shaped configuration of this house design, with its entry oriented to the east and a lush garden strategically placed in the southwest corner […]
In the heart of a dense urban fabric lies this conscientiously designed three-storeyed residence ‘VILAS’ in a plot of 1700 sq. ft. for a multi-generational family catering and navigating the requirements and ensuring their dreams come to reality. This three-storey house design is carefully crafted cuboid with interesting solids and voids, creating peripheral balconies and […]
Designing a home is not just about creating a space—it’s about crafting an experience that reflects the personality of its inhabitants while balancing aesthetics with functionality and sustainability. This contemporary, a private residential bungalow house located in Ahmedabad, India, stands as a testament to that philosophy. Designed for a family of four, the space merges […]
This contemporary exterior house design is nestled behind the vibrant pulse of a bustling hospital. This residence, spread across 6250 sq.ft., unveils a captivating fusion of timeless charm and contemporary elegance, veiled by an intricate jali screen. As you traverse the gates, you are welcomed into an entrance that artfully intertwines cultural motifs with the […]
When does a house become a home? What can a house do more than just provide shelter? Does the feeling of a space rely on tangible elements (furniture, decor, etc.)? Or is the feeling of a space defined by the intangible (light, volume, wind, etc.)? These tangible and intangible inquiries into this house architecture design—the […]
This Modern Mud House in a vulnerable ecosystem had to be a breathing edifice, born of the earth, slowly ebbing into the soil. Birds fly and make homes in lands far away. Vedanthangal is a chosen land for migratory birds. The untouched vegetation and aquatic plants maintain the bird sanctuary in Vedanthangal as one of […]
Situated on a 7-cent site, this modern architecture house in Coimbatore offers a utilitarian lifestyle while combining form and function. It is a hidden treasure nestled in the colorful tapestry of Coimbatore’s urban sprawl. With Central Jaali and Dynamic Lighting, the House’s Stunning Elevation shines with its richly textured wall and the exquisitely designed screen. […]