Hiwali is a small rural settlement of about 25 farming households, located deep in the Satmala mountain range, around 70 km from Nashik city. Set in the hilly terrain of the Western Ghats, it is one of the remote communities. The existing primary brick school currently operates in a temporary shelter.
This Brick School In Nashik Stands Out For Its Raw And True Design | pk_iNCEPTiON
Give Welfare Organization and Armstrong Robotics & Technologies have initiated building a school. The site, at the top of terraced farmland, is accessible via a 50-foot hike from the village road. The site is a narrow strip, bordered by a mountain on the northwest and terraced farming slopes on the southeast.
What makes this brick school project special is the remarkable teacher Keshav Gavit, known for his innovative teaching methods. His students can write with both hands and have memorised over 1,100 tables and more. Over 70 children from nearby settlements attend school daily. Functioning like a daycare, the school runs 365 days for 10 hours a day, teaching education along with life skills through group and activity-based learning.
Before approaching the design, our method of finding intent through research helped us understand Louis Kahn’s theory of “TO and THROUGH” spaces. It emphasizes giving true attention to ‘through’ spaces, how the building integrates with its setting, and how navigation becomes meaningful, enjoyable, and inspiring.
The brick school design begins with a water moat that protects the site from mountain runoff. Modular blocks for the Office, Computer Room, Science Room, Projector Room, and Library are arranged diagonally, allowing expansion toward the mountain while aligning with prevailing winds.
Shaped in a U form, the blocks adopt an aerodynamic profile, suited to their windward setting. Between the moat and blocks, a zigzag plinth is crafted, which channels water behind and creates multiple nodes that transform into indoor amphitheaters for learning and play.
The crafted plinth and gently sloping roof enhance spatial dynamics, with volumes shifting between 5 and 8 feet to create a relatable scale for children. Daylight enters through spaces between blocks for informal areas and through semi-circular courtyards for rooms, derived from the roof profile.
The school is conceptualized as a continuous, interconnected space with open, flexible yet focused learning areas. To enhance multifunctionality, folding doors, blackboards on the wall, and local stone flooring become writable areas.
The structure follows the load-bearing system with exposed brick wall, which allows for boards to be easily nailed. A flat roof floats above, improving ventilation, while its underside serves as a canvas for painting. The high plinth’s cow dung flooring ensures comfort for sitting or sleeping.
The design belongs to the students, offering varied spatial scales, open learning zones, flowing steps, and activity spaces that invite exploration. It also belongs to the teacher, with distinct yet connected areas that support diverse methods and allow one educator to manage the school independently.
There are no defined classrooms; there are multiple arrival and exit points for children, allowing them to create their own small world, to learn, grow, play, and build a bond with the context, teacher, and friends.
Fact File
Designed by: pk_iNCEPTiON
Project Type: Institution Architecture Design
Project Name: Hiwali School
Location: Nashik
Year Built: 2025
Built-up Area: 3821 Sq.ft
Principal Architects: Pooja Khairnar
Team Design Credits: Tanishq Tejnani, Swasti Rangan
Photograph Courtesy: Pranit Bora Studio
Lead Team: Pooja Khairnar, Shantanu Tribhuvan, Bhavik Chopada
Technical Team: Swarup Sope, Shreya Chandsare, Tejaswini Kawale
General Contractor: Infinity Works, Mr. Dhake
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: pk_iNCEPTiON
Firm’s Instagram Link: pk_iNCEPTiON
For Similar Project >>> This Institutional Design Takes Inspiration From The Sacred Indian Architecture
Layers don’t just sit here; they breathe, shift, and whisper through light. The Screen, set in the sun-drenched fabric of Solapur, Maharashtra, isn’t trying to scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. It moves quieter than that, more composed, more intentional, like a pause button carved into the chaos of the city. Spread across 4,125 sq. […]
This project is located in Ben Tre, Vietnam, and was completed in 2021. With a total area of 430m2, the project set within concrete vaults includes 3 bedrooms and one living room, each with a view of the nearby river. Concrete Vaults Form The Main Identity Of This Vietnamese Home | VTN Architects The ground […]
We conceive EMA not as a conventional architectural object, but as a living continuum of memory, ecology, and craft. Located in Malappuram, Kerala, the 1,700 sq. ft. residence, designed with thermal comfort draws from vernacular wisdom and the philosophy of the Kaavu—the sacred grove—where humans, nature, and other living beings coexist without hierarchy. Within this […]
Set within the lush landscapes of Bharanikavu in Kollam, Arcade – a single storey residence that blends tropical modern architecture with colonial and traditional elements. Designed for a businessman, his wife (a teacher) and their two daughters, this house showcases a shared interest for elegance rooted in familiarity. This Single Storey Home Sits Amidst Lush […]
Noah’s Ark is a contemporary residence designed as a calm and welcoming home with a clear planning. The client’s brief was to create a home that felt simple, warm, and timeless without becoming overly minimal or impersonal. Noah’s Ark responds by blending clear planning, honest materials, and personal elements, resulting in a house that is […]
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 […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
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 […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
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 […]