Saraswati Vidyalaya is an extremely cost-effective rural government school, situated on the banks of the Tansa River, educating 180 students from 8th to 10th grade in the tribal village of Kelthan, Palghar, Maharashtra. Facing the wrath of nature, the village school partially drowned in the 2019 floods, causing irreparable damage to its infrastructure. Therefore, making it hazardous for students and teachers to occupy the premises.
Editor’s Note: “Once submerged under floodwaters, Saraswati Vidyalaya now redefines resilience and renewal. Built with the hands and hearts of its own people, the school stands tall on stilts, elevated, sunlit, shaded, and deeply rooted in tradition. Crafted from earth and bricks, it is an ode to sustainability, proving that survival lies in flourishing.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
A Village School Finds New Life Through Adaptive Design | unTAG
The journey of Rebuilding Resilience began in 2020, when the architects, alongside a local NGO, decided to intervene through a participatory process with school teachers and students. The school was proposed to be built in two phases, ensuring regular classes during construction while simultaneously facilitating fundraising.
The redesigned village school, planned with utmost sensitivity to regional climate and context, incorporates solar passive strategies. Proposed in the northeast corner of the 1-acre site, the built form helps in maximizing the school playground.
The school is proposed on stilts to provide the least resistance to floodwaters. The first floor of Phase 1 has three well–lit, cross-ventilated classrooms with a North-light roof, alongside a staffroom, girls’ restroom, and toilets. These classrooms look out at Mandakini Hill and lush paddy fields, a visual delight for students. The community kitchen is kept on the ground floor, serving midday meals to students. The stilted ground floor plate weaves a multi-functional social space, hosting school activities, community gatherings, medical camps, and awareness drives.
A locally sourced material palette helped in achieving an unbelievable construction cost of Rs.1200 per sq.ft. (13.5$. per sq.ft), ensuring a low carbon footprint for construction. With a concrete framework, the body of this sustainable school is built in locally baked red bricks, laid in Rat-trap bond. This reduces the brick quantum while providing thermal insulation to classrooms.
Brick Jalis at strategic locations act as visual filters and also ensure breeze flows. The builders used the filler-slab technique on the ground floor, inserting locally crafted earthen disks in a free-flowing ceiling pattern to reduce concrete quantity and enhance vernacular aesthetics.
The ground floor features recycled Indian stone flooring, crafted from waste stones sourced for free from local vendors, forming a pattern inspired by the meandering Tansa River. Insulated puff panels for the roof ensure the classrooms stay thermally comfortable throughout the year. Roof-mounted solar panels make the school net-zero and self-reliant in its energy needs.
The school façade, imagined as a biophilic interface, has green planters as an important design element, maintained by school students. Students have partially used the surrounding open space to grow seasonal vegetables for midday meals. The students, alongside farmer parents, contributed to the construction through shramdaan, as hands-on site training of alternative techniques was given by architects, adding to the skills of locals.
Saraswati Vidyalaya now exemplifies how to reimagine and build rural schools sensitively, cost-efficiently, and aesthetically. Phase 1 has led to an immense social impact, with an increase in student intake, encouraging the underprivileged tribal parents to exercise their right to education. An endeavor to uplift and empower the local, through local and with local.
Fact File
Designed by: unTAG
Project Type: Educational Architecture Design
Project Name: Flood Affected School at Kelthan Village
Location: Kelthan, Palghar, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 6221.54 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Tejesh Patil, Gauri Satam & Nikita Patil
Photograph Courtesy: Yash Prabhu & Vibhu Viraj
Project Architect: Nikita Patil
Architect: Vibhu Viraj, Yash Prabhu
Project Coordination: Nitin Orayan, Learning Space Foundation NGO
Project Support: Urvashi Foundation, Mumbai, Jamnabai Narsee School, Mumbai
Structural Consultant: Nitesh Mishra
Project Manager: Vijay Patil, Yogesh Mali, Ravindra Jadhav
Metal Fabrication: Nilesh Panve
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: unTAG
The Firm’s Instagram Link: unTAG
Firm’s Facebook Link: unTAG
For Similar Projects >> The Rajakumari Ratnavati Girl’s School – An Architectural Marvel
Scarlett Designs Pvt. Ltd. (SDPL) blurs the boundaries between structure and nature with the conceptualization and design of the elemental villas at Ananta Spa and Resort, Ajabgarh. Nestled amidst the majestic Aravalli ranges, the design of the resort draws inspiration from the vastness of its surroundings and natural elements. Each villa type, including Earth, Lagoon, […]
The design of Habitat 0 begins with the central concept of a vacation home community organized around a circular form. This layout places individual spaces radially around a central circular courtyard, creating an environment where every space has access to expansive views of the surrounding greenery. The circular design is essential in fostering a deep […]
Nestled in the tranquil village of Thenipalam, Malappuram, Aman is a 2,800 sq. ft. residence, manifesting its Urdu namesake, meaning peace, sanctuary, and security. Designed by Vaktra Architects, this traditional Kerala home is a testament to simplicity, blending Kerala’s tropical ethos with contemporary elegance. This Traditional Kerala Home is Rooted in Simplicity and Modern Elegance […]
Pranjali – The Doctor’s Bungalow is a peaceful and practical modern bungalow design located in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The name Pranjali, meaning “a graceful offering” or “a gesture of respect,” reflects the spirit of this residence—a calm, humble, and thoughtful space created for a doctor couple seeking balance in their busy lives. The design goal […]
The contemporary style architecture house is located in the lively urban context of Thaltej, Ahmedabad nestled within a private cluster of four bungalows. Though the home enjoys the benefits of community, it also maintains a high degree of privacy and seclusion. This is achieved through a carefully considered spatial arrangement, despite the proximity of a […]
Screenwriter and director Megha Ramaswamy approached Fractal Chaos to design an organic home as a weekend retreat in Pasli Gaon, Velhe—a village about 150 km from Pune. The site is located between the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats, which gives it a unique ecology with 4 seasons. Drawn to the land by a bordering […]
Situated in the bustling residential neighbourhood of Koorkenchery, Thrissur, Dr. Lakshmi’s residence stands as a refined architectural response to a narrow 15.53 cent plot. The 4214.07 sq ft home is a seamless blend of modern traditional kerala house, with an Indonesian inspired grey white exterior that exudes sophistication. The design strategically employs linear planning, integrating […]
Imagine a home that breathes with the breeze, where sunlight filters through lush foliage, and the vibrant hues of nature are an extension of your living space. Tropical houses are architectural marvels; a profound dialogue between human habitation and the natural world, born from centuries of adapting to warm, humid climates. Far from rigid structures, […]
Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]