Located in rural Andhra Pradesh, a hot and dry region in Southern India, our proposal of this school architecture re-envisions a fifteen-year-old “L”-shaped school building into a vibrant and empowering learning environment for the children of cement factory workers. The existing structure, sited in the rear corner of a barren two-acre property, was structurally sound but in semi-disrepair, with no shade other than a few trees along the site wall for the students to escape the intense sun during afternoon breaks.
Editor’s Note: “The CollectiveProject innovatively converts an existing building in rural Andhra Pradesh into a vibrant learning environment. The design incorporates bamboo canopies and jali facades with locally sourced materials to allow natural light and ventilation, adapting to the climate conditions. Expanded spaces develop education, culture, and community, making it a sustainable and replicable prototype for schools in remote areas.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This School Architecture Re-envisions Into An Empowering Learning Environment | CollectiveProject
The interior spaces, with little natural light and ventilation, were divided into sixteen oversized classrooms, a library that doubled as a faculty room, two labs and external bathrooms that were difficult for the children to access due to distance and a circuitous path.
The client brief, given by the Penna Foundation, was to create a prototype design that could be implemented at other regional cement factories, using well-designed spaces and extracurricular programs as an attractor for teachers who otherwise do not consider relocating to the remote area.
As a response, our approach was to create a responsive, playful design that would directly impact the quality of education and experience of the students and teachers. To achieve this, the school program was expanded beyond the Indian government-required K-10 curriculum to include vocational training, sports, and the arts.
Building on the existing structure, the design team refined and modified the façade, incorporating jalis (porous masonry screens) and strategically placing windows to allow cross ventilation and balance natural light in the learning spaces.
The internal layout was reworked to create twenty-four classrooms, two faculty lounges, three labs, and two multi-purpose libraries. Rather than expanding with heavy infrastructure, they conceived the additional programs as independent pavilions. These pavilions include a kitchen, cafeteria, AV hall, preschool, kindergarten, art room, bathrooms, and bicycle parking.
An expansive bamboo canopy now covers the outdoor areas, making them usable despite the heat, as temperatures often reach over 43°C (109°F). Supported by a lightweight branching metal framework, it seamlessly connects the pavilions with the existing structure.
The team sourced 12,000 fifteen-foot bamboo poles locally through government forestry programs and then seasoned them on-site. Thus, ensuring long-term durability and suitability for the climate.
The covered areas serve as multi-purpose spaces for school-wide gatherings and outdoor teaching events. Moreover, they transform throughout the day as shadow patterns shift with the sun.
The subtle use of colour plays an essential role in the school experience, with pale pinks, greens, and blues. Additionally, it complements the arid context’s earth tones, while the façade features a light cement wash sourced from the adjacent factory.
The project uses Kadappa black limestone flooring. Moreover, it uses waste material sourced from a neighboring village as local quarries process the stone.
The construction took place over six years while the school remained active to not disrupt the children’s education. The head engineers from the cement factory carefully guided laborers from nearby villages to execute the works, rather than relying on professional contractors for this school architecture.
Fact File
Designed by: CollectiveProject
Project Type: Educational Architecture Design
Project Name: Talaricheruvu Rural School
Location: Talaricheruvu, Andhra Pradesh
Year Built: 2022
Built-up Area: 40000 Sq.ft
Design Team: Cyrus Patell, Eliza Higgins & Saniya Jejani
Photograph Courtesy: Benjamin Hosking & Vivek Eadara
Clients: Penna Foundation
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: CollectiveProject
Firm’s Instagram Link: CollectiveProject
For Similar Projects >> The Rajakumari Ratnavati Girl’s School – An Architectural Marvel
The contemporary style architecture house is located in the lively urban context of Thaltej, Ahmedabad nestled within a private cluster of four bungalows. Though the home enjoys the benefits of community, it also maintains a high degree of privacy and seclusion. This is achieved through a carefully considered spatial arrangement, despite the proximity of a […]
Situated in the bustling residential neighbourhood of Koorkenchery, Thrissur, Dr. Lakshmi’s residence stands as a refined architectural response to a narrow 15.53 cent plot. The 4214.07 sq ft home is a seamless blend of modern traditional kerala house, with an Indonesian inspired grey white exterior that exudes sophistication. The design strategically employs linear planning, integrating […]
Imagine a home that breathes with the breeze, where sunlight filters through lush foliage, and the vibrant hues of nature are an extension of your living space. Tropical houses are architectural marvels; a profound dialogue between human habitation and the natural world, born from centuries of adapting to warm, humid climates. Far from rigid structures, […]
In the heart of Bangalore’s expanding peripheries, amidst a landscape of dry earth and scattered industrial activity, Elements of Nature emerges not just as a marketing and sales office but as an orchestrated experience in office design architecture—an architectural dialogue between structure, materiality, and the senses. Designed by Sneha Ostawal, founder of Source Architecture, this […]
The way we design spaces that people inhabit goes beyond mere functionality. It requires an intentional sensitivity to how each detail shapes the overall experience and interaction with the surrounding ecological context. Nestled in the suburban periphery of Nashik, the project occupies a 3700 sq. ft. plot located at the dead-end of a street, adjacent […]
Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]
This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]
As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]
Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]
This simple farmhouse design is a humble residence that responds to the climate and site. It is a fun fact that the house is both an inward and outward looking house at the same time. One of the USPs of the simple farmhouse design project would be that it connects well with the most playful […]