Maher Ashram- Orphan School Design | Studio PPBA
There are 70 million orphans living in extreme poverty on streets in Asia, that’s the entire population of the United Kingdom. Orphan children, who have no parents or guardians, who have no shelter, are forced to spend their life under the sky.
Visit: Studio PPBA
Maher’s trust approached us to build an orphanage for such destitute girls in Satara, where they could stay, learn, eat, and get the quality of life which otherwise they would have been deprived of.
After visiting other social buildings around, we could sense the same pattern of dim passages running over each other & lack of natural light & ventilation. Our challenge was to break these introvert spaces and create a more welcoming atmosphere where these children could enjoy every season in and out and dream for the future, within the budget constraint though.
We intended to adopt a courtyard for an urban context that combines the spirit of traditional houses yet responds to contemporary values & issues. So, all the functional activities were planned around the central courtyard that would facilitate the light and ventilation.
We have tried to maintain an attunement with the surroundings, striking a harmonious chord by employing locally available technology and material wherever possible.
Inspired from the traditional Indian culture, we wanted this project to be a ‘HOME’ to these little children which would act as a container of both emotions and memories.
FACT FILE:
Architects: Studio PPBA
Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Category: Public Building
Project name: MAHER ASHRAM
Lead Architects: Pankaj Bhagwatkar, Pallavi Arwade
Design Team: Shreyas Walimbe, Shubham Joshi, Devki Bohara,
Clients: Maher Trust, Pune
Gross Built Area:1121.00 SQ.M
Project Year: 2018-2019
Text : Kunal Rakshit, Pallavi Arwade
Photo credits: Pallavi Arwade & Onil Shah
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studioppba/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioppba/
“Even within the smallest green lies all the purity and freshness of Eden.” This idea became the seed for Eden Moss, a home nestled in an ecological environment and imagined as a breath of freshness, evoking the scent of mud after rain, and seamlessly intertwined with nature while still embracing comfort and contextual charm. Nestled […]
In Tiruppur’s industrial heartland, where the rhythm of textile mills sets the tone, the layered architecture in this Villa offers a quiet counterpoint. Shaped by stillness, proportion, and cultural memory, the home reflects the clients’ vision for a contemplative retreat. Set on a square plot within a gridded residential layout, the residence embraces architectural restraint […]
Nestled in what was once a coconut orchard, Sanctum serves as a sanctuary for a retired couple. Their daughter & a feline companion join them to offer a tranquil environment for everyday goings-on. The site is a 60’ x 90’ portion of land with six coconut trees. Two teak wood & silver oak trees, each […]
Tucked into the calm, tree-lined lanes of Nagarbhavi in Bangalore, Avani Residence rises as a poetic response to the chaos of the city, a vertical sanctuary where light dances, materials breathe, and space unfolds in gentle rhythms. Designed by Archemist Architects for a family of four, the residence is a nuanced interplay between constraint and […]
The designers envision Asterix Café as a flagship destination that challenges café design conventions. While coffee culture often associates with warm, pastel tones, Asterix dares to be different by embracing darkness as its defining aesthetic. Designed by UrbanNest Design Studio, the bespoke cafe is a bold experiment in creating a multi-functional, community centric space where […]
Adorn, a home filled with earthen design and the laughter of a family of four, nestles in the peaceful neighborhood of Selvapuram, Coimbatore. “On one side, it shares boundaries with cozy family homes; meanwhile, the other side opens to expansive fields dotted with tall trees.” The fresh air scented with greenery sets a calming atmosphere […]
Situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Anandvan residence beautifully embodies biophilic design, fostering a deep connection with nature through its thoughtful integration of outdoor and indoor spaces through open courtyards. Open Courtyards And A Biophilic Design Connect The Outdoors With The Indoors | R+R Architects Location The location and surroundings played a significant role in determining the […]
What if the simplest object in your home could turn into a design icon? Tectona Grandis Furniture and The Architects’ Diary come together to introduce the Chair Affair. This is India’s first-of-its-kind furniture design competition that dares architects and designers across India to rethink the most essential piece of furniture – the Chair. Beyond function, […]
In a calm and serene residential area of Mysore, a 10,000 sq. ft. site with mature mango and coconut trees set the stage for Eden Kindergarten school. One half of the land was already occupied by an existing block, while the other half was shaded by the canopy of old trees. Instead of altering this […]
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 […]