The architectural identity of Rajasthan is largely characterized by historic masonry structures highlighting a deep and enduring material culture. Among these, a post-independence educational institution, built with rubble masonry, stands as a symbol of resilience and functional pragmatism in public school design.
Editor’s Note: “History breathes anew in this quiet village of Nimbahera. Through adaptive reuse, the school once paused in time, now emerges with a purpose. Unfolding as a dialogue across time, every wall whispers the intervention that honors heritage while embracing change. Moreover, R+D Studio reimagines time, not just space.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
Public School Design in Rajasthan Stands on Resilience And Material Identity | R+D Studio
Built by JK Cement Organization in the 1960s as part of their cement plant and colony in the remote village of Nimbahera, around 100km from Udaipur. R+D Studio was engaged to re-examine the entire masterplan and propose a phase wise solution and in doing so, the fundamental question posed was:
How can a historic structure’s utility be extended without compromising its intellectual and cultural integrity? How does architecture reconcile the historical with the contemporary without falling into visual discord? R+D Studio’s intervention inhabits this in-between space, leveraging adaptive reuse as both a strategic method and a guiding philosophy.
A K-12 educational institution is not a fixed entity but a dynamic system that evolves over time to accommodate shifting educational and spatial demands. In this case, the original layout included an outdated bachelor’s accommodation within the primary structure—an inefficient use of space that required strategic reconfiguration. The design intervention was executed with precision: the dormitory functions were removed, and the spatial framework was reorganized to integrate a new primary wing.
Rather than merely extending the existing structure, this addition functions as a graft, skillfully bridging historical continuity with contemporary necessity. The addition of a new architectural volume requires more than simple adjacency—it necessitates a deliberate combination of form and function. The new wing does not assert itself as an independent structure but integrates seamlessly into the existing architectural language. A carefully planned circulation strategy achieves this continuity by fostering spatial fluidity. The design orchestrates movement between the historic and contemporary sections of the school to minimize disruption. Meanwhile, the new wing acts as a hinge that unites different sequential and spatial elements into a cohesive whole. Material continuity is fundamental to bridging the historical and the contemporary.
The selective use of local Nimbahera slate stone, stucco, and historically consistent paint formulations reinforces the connection to the original structure. Instead, it is a deliberate engagement with material as a prompt. Thus, allowing the new wing to blend seamlessly into its environment. By embedding the intervention within the existing tectonic language, R+D Studio crafts a built environment that avoids historical disjunction.
Adaptive reuse extends beyond aesthetic considerations into the realm of sustainable architectural ethics. Rather than erasing embodied energy through demolition, this project prioritizes recalibration and renewal. The intervention amplifies the latent potential of the existing structure. Moreover, it ensures that the addition does not impose an external architectural vocabulary but instead emerges from the intrinsic logic of site and history. R+D Studio’s intervention is neither a nostalgic replication nor a radical departure. Instead, it is an act of architectural authorship—an ongoing process of rewriting, refining, and expanding the built environment.
Recognizing architecture as a dynamic manuscript rather than a static artifact, the project emphasizes its evolving nature. It underscores the idea that historical structures should not be preserved in stillness but engaged in active dialogue. The new primary wing is an argument for the past as a living entity, continuously evolving through thoughtful architectural discourse and intervention. Thus, the school does not merely endure; it transforms, asserting itself as an evolving architectural continuum rather than a static monument to its past.
R+D Studio, based in Gurgaon, is designing a new primary wing for an existing K-12 school built with rubble masonry in Rajasthan. To do so, they first redesigned the programmatic arrangement by moving out the existing bachelor’s accommodation. Then, they creatively added the new wing to connect the two blocks. The adaptive re-use created a sustainable solution that seamlessly integrated both space and architecture. Materials like local slate stone, paint, and stucco ensured that the new structure matched the two blocks, despite a 65-year gap between their construction.
Fact File
Designed by: R+D Studio
Project Type: Educational Architecture Design
Project Name: Lala Kamalapat Singhania Public School (LKSPS)
Location: Nimbahera, Rajasthan, India
Year Built: 2021-2024
Built-up Area: 38,000 Sq.ft
Team Design Credits: Shikha Doogar, Shridhar Rao, Ashvajit Singh, Siddharth Saluja, Shruti Yadav, Kushagra Verma, Nitansh Tandon
Photograph Courtesy: Ketan Patel
Source: e-architect
Firm’s Website Link: R+D Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: R+D Studio
For Similar Projects >> The Rajakumari Ratnavati Girl’s School – An Architectural Marvel
The site is located in Ahilyanagar town of Maharashtra, with a design brief of 7,000 sq feet, while the house had to be designed for the hot and dry climate, which responds carefully to extreme temperatures, intense sunlight, and low humidity. The design focuses on reducing heat gain, improving natural ventilation, and creating comfortable indoor spaces with […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
SapanoUday is a contemporary residence that balances material rawness with layered textures and crafted detail, aligning modern living with cultural and spatial sensibilities. Designed by Hundreddesigns, the home responds closely to the client’s routines and artistic inclinations while thoughtfully integrating Vastu principles. HundredDesigns The designers defined the architecture through a minimal palette, using exposed concrete […]
KRIPA is a residence that reflects the personality and lifestyle of its homeowner — calm, open, and rooted in nature. The project focuses on creating light-filled, green spaces with minimal private zones, encouraging openness and connection. In a time when spaces are shrinking but expectations are rising, architecture becomes the medium to bridge this gap […]
The Sculpted Sanctuary is a masterclass in modern minimalist design. The project focuses on “Quiet Luxury”. It is the idea that a space doesn’t need bright colors or flashy decor to feel expensive. Instead, it uses raw natural materials, rich textures, and sharp architectural lines. This Home Is A Masterclass In Modern Minimalist Design | […]
SIDHARTHA, is a four-bedroom modern house which is functional and aesthetic driven by the specific needs of the client. The location of the site is in a dense neighbourhood in Bengaluru, India. The contemporary urban dwelling frequently negotiates competing demands. It balances generous daylight and visual connection to the street with privacy, dust control, and […]
Located in HMT Layout, Bangalore, Isha_Srinidhi Nilaya stands as a multi-generational home designed on a compact 60×40 ft (2400 sq. ft) East facing plot, with a total built-up area of 8000 sq. ft. East Facing a lush public park, the residence responds to its urban setting through a layered design that balances privacy with a […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]
Plants for home garden, apart from making houses look more beautiful and inviting, add health and calmness to them. Having any kind of indoor plant, a herb plant or a flowering plant adds some value to your decor and the quality of the space. Always choose plants that will flourish in your space and climate. […]