An NGO, Round Table, is envisioned to provide study rooms for the students of Kochargaon Village. According to their survey, the village sorely lacked facilities for reading and learning, which has adversely affected the literacy rate. The chosen site was an old collapsed Aanganwadi that still had an undisturbed, stable plinth. That became our plot. It is located in the vicinity of the village’s main temple complex. The temple has a large covered pavilion (at road level) in front, for all the religious and public events of the community. Thus, showcasing the significance of pavilion architecture as a functional and communal space.
Editor’s Note: With the aim to uplift the community as a whole, this library is a unique place for community engagement, creative learning, and inspiration. By integrating minimalism yet impactful design, this library is a perfect example of addressing community requirements with simple architecture. With low-maintenance and cost-effective materials, the design sets a testament to community architecture. ~ Rajvi Dedakiya
This Pavilion Architecture Showcases A Functional And Communal Space | pk_iNCEPTiON
Our site, one meter below road level, is visually and spatially connected to this pavilion and the street. Moreover, the initial plan focused on constructing two study rooms, one designated for males and the other for females.
However, discussions with the NGO and multiple site visits revealed a deeper need to inculcate the importance of education in the community itself.
Furthermore, this unspoken directive urged us to design a space that invites and engages all age groups. Thus, fostering a love for learning while providing a versatile environment for diverse uses. We envisioned a library, a reading area, essential study rooms, and a multipurpose space for various educational activities.
The core concept evolved into three covered spaces: two study areas and a book stacking space, concentric to a central court and participatory to all other areas.
All these were placed on the existing plinth. Additionally, a fourth pavilion was added at the front to create a semi-covered entrance and arrival space for the library.
A series of steps guide visitors from the road to a lower level, transformed into an informal gathering space at the entrance.
The first pavilion, featuring a generous opening with a load-bearing arch, extends a warm welcome. Moreover, this covered verandah, intended for newspaper and magazine racks, invites the elderly to read and relax freely.
From this verandah, one enters the central courtyard, which leads to the book stacking area at the front and two reading rooms on either side.
These rooms orient perpendicular to the temple complex. Additionally, it ensures tranquillity for the students, shielded from public activity noise.
They open solely into the courtyard, providing a versatile space as needed. Strategically facing the temple, the book stacking area beckons villagers with visible, colorful book covers from the street and temple pavilion. Additionally, the stacking area remains open towards the courtyard, with two large sliding shutters to enhance visibility.
These shutters not only reveal the bookshelf but also transform into writable blackboards when closed. However, this duality allows the courtyard to morph into an outdoor classroom for children, a workshop space for youth. Additionally, it allows a night school for the village women, fostering a vibrant educational ecosystem.
The design features high-pitched roofs for the study rooms, oriented east-west. Moreover, this orientation ensures the escape of hot air, seamless cross-ventilation, diffused lighting, and captivating views of the sky and surrounding trees.
Being an NGO project, our design needed to be multifunctional, low-maintenance, and cost-effective. This presided over our choice of material and construction method. The entire structure is load-bearing with expansive arched openings.
The team used corrugated metal sheets to make the pitched roof and locally available stone to finish the floor. Keeping all the prerequisites in mind, we aspired to create a spatial experience that offers tranquility for reading, inclusivity for learning, playfulness for children, and secure book stacking within an open design ethos.
The spatial organization of pavilions around a central court realized these aspirations, with openings meticulously crafted to optimize light, ventilation, and participatory engagement.
Fact File
Designed by: pk_iNCEPTiON
Project Type: Institution / Library
Project Name: Rural Library
Location: Kochargaon, Maharashtra
Year Built: 2024
Project Size: 1162.5 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Pooja Khairnar
Photograph Courtesy: Pranit Bora
Concept Development: Swasti Rangani, Shantanu Tribhuvan
Design And Working Drawings: Tanishq Tejnani, Tejaswini Kawale
Detailed Drawings: Bhavik Chopada, Shantanu Tribhuvan
Models: Shantanu Tribhuvan, Swaroop Sope
Graphics And Presentation Drawings: Bhavik Chopada
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Instagram Link: pk_iNCEPTiON
For Similar Projects >> A Vocational Training Institute in Aurangabad while Focusing on Improved Social Responsibility
Nestled within Prakriti Farms, this residence epitomizes rustic farmhouse interior design charm and a deep connection with the natural world. Its elegance lies in its emphasis on elemental materials and its seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. With three bedrooms and a spacious living area, the home was strategically designed in an L shape to […]
House of Heights: How design shapes relationships and well-being? “A house can transform its people. The living room, the tallest space in my home, is where we socialize, express our feelings, and spend the most time—an open arena for life’s conversations. The impact of front elevation design on home and harmony further emphasizes how thoughtful design […]
Spacious, inviting, and intimate, courtyards have an integral place in the vernacular architecture across India. Beyond their climatic purposes, courtyards assume the role of a social space, a space for contemplation, and a space where something happens. Their presence in various forms, proportions, and sizes has been a ubiquitous feature in Indian vernacular architecture. The […]
Located in Bangalore, opposite a large neighborhood park, a set of 4 houses was to be built—one of which was to be the personal house for the client, and the others were to be let out. The intent of these Bangalore homes was to create a quiet presence on the street and evoke a sense of […]
The modern residence integrates contemporary architecture with biophilic design principles, offering a luxurious and nature-connected living experience. The exterior features clean lines, landscaped lawns, and vertical green walls that soften the structure while promoting sustainability. The minimalist contemporary interior designs of this are designed with an open-plan layout, double-height ceilings, and large glass openings, ensuring […]
Some homes are big on square footage but don’t maximize space—and then some compact ones make the most of precious space at a premium. Located in Bangalore, this 3,000 sq. ft. villa interior design exemplifies this residential project, exploring staggered volumes that led to creating spaces at multiple levels, including a mezzanine floor. As per […]
In the heart of Gurugram, where the city’s energy pulses with both hard work and hard play, a 2600 sq. ft. rooftop terrace design has been transformed into the ultimate hangout spot. Designed for the young and the young at heart, this terrace captures the spirit of a city that knows how to balance the […]
In the vibrant town of Kannur, Kerala, the contemporary house design of this residence is more than a home—it’s a sanctuary designed to nurture both body and soul. Built for a family of five, it blends minimalist elegance with everyday comfort, creating a space that feels alive, welcoming, and deeply connected to nature. Editor’s Note: […]
The one-acre site of Saukhya Farm is nestled in the lush valley of Beze Village, on the outskirts of Nashik. Surrounded by small farms, it offers sweeping views of Beze Dam and the surrounding hills. The clients’ brief was to transform the site into a farmhouse and to cultivate part of it into an orchard. Work […]
Nestled on the bustling Karnavati Road in Ahmedabad, this modern residence spans over a 10,881 sq. ft. corner plot, seamlessly integrating form, function, and tranquility. The house is thoughtfully planned in an L-shaped configuration of this house design, with its entry oriented to the east and a lush garden strategically placed in the southwest corner […]