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/
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. […]