In the rural context of Palakkad, the C.A.H.S. school is situated amidst paddy fields, embracing heritage design, native architecture and tradition. It offers a serene escape from city life, surrounded by lush greenery. Previously, the site had poor-quality structures scattered in different orientations, built over various periods without proper master planning. The project’s scope involved crafting an overall master plan and uplifting the school.
Editor’s Note: “Amidst Palakkad’s refreshing paddy fields, this rural school breathes heritage while balancing innovation. The sunlit verandas resound joy, and the towering columns echo tradition while sheltering the young minds. This school celebrates the learning of culture, nature, and knowledge through a harmony of raw textures, muted colors, and interactive spaces.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
Heritage Design Blends with Native Architecture in This Rural School | Studio Acis
Strategies like preservation, rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, new construction, and renovation were implemented in six phases. The first phase focused on constructing a new admin block (Block H), inspired by existing challenges, while the second phase involved renovating the higher secondary block (Block A).
The remaining four phases include demolition, new constructions, preservation, adaptive reuse, and rehabilitation for future development. However, a major challenge was designing the school within budget constraints.
Planned on a 2.53-acre site, the new Admin block (Block H, 20,659 sq. ft.) integrates multiple functions under one roof. Its linear form establishes a clear axis for the school. Thus, emphasizing the entry and segregating public and private zones.
This block houses meeting rooms, classrooms, and a flexible auditorium. Additionally, spaces are efficiently planned with proper segregation, ensuring effective management. Furthermore, the ground floor is open, connecting users to the surroundings and serving as a gateway.
The first floor features semi-open spaces with verandas running parallel, visually linking the open ground floor and surrounding blocks. Design elements like verandas, north-facing linear windows, double-height spaces, gathering pockets, and rooms with light on both sides create vibrant, inspiring spaces.
Natural light filters into the school, fostering an elegant, energizing environment for young minds. The architecture blends raw concrete textures with earthy tones, while floor-to-floor balconies enhance transparency and seamless indoor-outdoor transitions, connecting the building to its context.
The second phase involved renovating Block A (8,720 sq. ft.). The design addressed challenges by drawing inspiration from nearby structures and traditional Kerala values. Additionally, an outer layer of columns topped with a roof transforms the dynamics of the space by enhancing the existing structure.
The corridors, with muted colors and interplay of light, celebrate tranquility and grandeur. These imposing columns and verandas now provide shade and comfort, protecting against rain and sun while creating interactive spaces. However, this redesign balances heritage with functionality, fostering active learning, social interaction, and emotional development.
Always envisioned as a school, where its essence balances between heritage and innovation, which is culturally rooted and emphasizes the open spaces. A space where children feel safe, a place to unwind that encourages the interaction between students themselves and with the teachers and fosters collaboration.
Fact File
Designed by: Studio Acis
Project Type: Educational Architecture Design
Project Name: C.A.H.S. School Ayakkad
Location: Ayakkad, Kerala
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 29379 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ar. Rakesh Kakkoth
Design Team: Ar. Suraj S & Ar. Jeswin David
Photograph Courtesy: Studio IKSHA
Engineering And Consulting: Structural: Er. Hariharan
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Studio Acis
Firm’s Instagram Link: Studio Acis
For Similar Project>> This Sustainable School Fosters Independence and Self-reliance
In a landscape where aspiration quietly waits, Granthalay emerges as a circular building and sanctuary for learning—gathering people, knowledge, and place into a shared civic moment. Granthalay is conceived as a civic institution that extends beyond the conventional idea of a library, responding to the acute lack of educational and community infrastructure in the district […]
A dilapidated old manor house in Jaffna peninsula, with warped roof beams, warped door windows and many structural defects were presented to the architects for refurbishment- by clients- to be refurbished as a retirement home for themselves who were returning to Sri Lanka after escaping to overseas due to the 25 years old North East […]
This residence is a sincere exploration of how architecture can remain simple, climate sensitive, cost-effective, and emotionally grounded, without compromising on spatial quality or design intent. Conceived as a 3BHK modest home for a small family, the project stands as a testament to what is possible when thoughtful planning, craft-oriented construction, and material intelligence come […]
Design, when it emerges as a living tapestry, turns the experience of living into a vibrant everyday narrative. Baldota House in Alandi, Pune by ARCHOS accommodates three generations under a single roof in the area spanning 7500 Sq. Ft. Spearheaded by the family’s desire for a generous space and a theatrical essence along with balanced […]
Few homes are celebrated for their iconic interiors, while some are celebrated for their open layouts. True to its unique context and subtleties, this home with a monochromatic palette, designed by Ar. Saumya Khanna & Ar. Sudhir Ambawata Co – founders & principle architects of SSDA Architects brings the essence of volumetric design and a […]
Adopting sustainable living today, both in design and daily life, is crucial for reducing our environmental footprint and preserving resources for future generations. In the design of this bamboo pavilion, this means using eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, and creating spaces that harmonize with natural surroundings. In daily living, sustainability involves mindful consumption, reducing waste, conserving […]
Tucked into the lush landscape of Thiruvananthapuram, Aashiyana is a residence that balances context, climate, and craft. Designed by architect Srijit Srinivas, this bungalow is conceived as more than a tropical retreat-it is a spatial journey where bold colour, filtered light, and thoughtful materials orchestrate a distinctive atmosphere. Nestled Amidst Lush Landscape Aashiyana Balances Craft […]
Situated on a compact 1200 sft south-west corner plot, this residence was conceived as an inward-looking sanctuary for a family of four — a home that balances privacy and openness, light and enclosure, within the dense urban fabric. This Residence Was Conceived As An Inward-Looking Sanctuary For A Family Of Four | The Insideout Studio […]
Project 1374 is located in one of the plotted developments in the north of Bangalore, characterized by well-demarcated plots, open spaces, spacious roads, and organized infrastructure. Trees flank the wide streets, dividing the plots with dense canopies offering shaded avenues. Abutting the plot stood a cluster of trees- a quiet presence. We borrowed these trees […]
‘Roots’ was an experiment to build sustainably but not confer to the design language typically associated with sustainable buildings. This residential project re-considers the expression of sustainable architecture through a minimalist and materially grounded lens. Located on a 4,000 sq.ft. plot, the designers conceived the house for a family of three and their pet, organizing […]