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
“Viraam,” a 4000 sq ft house design that embodies its literal translation: “a pause.” The vision is to create a sanctuary for relaxation, introspection, and to escape from the constant demands of daily life – an urban void for personal retreat. This 4000 sq ft House Design Unfolds Calm Lifestyle | Avani Mudra Design Reimagining […]
The facade of this Indian contemporary house design strikes a careful balance between solids and voids, with sculpted forms that reveal the inner workings of the space. The design plays with light and shadow, creating visual depth and intrigue from the exterior. The form resembles a cuboid that has been scooped out, while the outer […]
This 5 storey building takes inspiration from ancient haveli architecture. “Hailing from north India, the family held deep nostalgia for haveli, large residences with communal courtyards called chowks, projecting balconies called jharokhas and intricate brick or stone lattice screens called jaalis, vernacular to many western and northern regions of India,” said SJK Architects partner Vaishali […]
Set in the serene landscape of Nashik, the Dabholkar Residence by GDA is a home, embracing stone clad walls. Here, tradition and contemporary design exist in harmony. Designed to reflect the family’s deep connection to tradition and art while embracing the style of contemporary living, it is a space where architectural details, heritage furniture, artwork […]
This remodelling project aimed to revitalise a load-bearing house while respecting its original integrity and adapting it to contemporary needs. The design approach prioritised minimal structural intervention, allowing the existing framework to guide spatial reconfiguration. Careful consideration was given to preserving the load-bearing walls, which formed the backbone of the original construction. Openings were strategically […]
Redefining Indian temple architecture, the relocation of the existing shrine due to a new residential project presented an opportunity to design a space that seamlessly integrates tradition with contemporary needs. The given 400 sq. ft. site was envisioned not merely as a shrine to Lord Datta, a local deity, but as a vibrant community space, […]
Nestled within a 30×40 ft plot is the compact house design in Banashankari 6th Stage, Bengaluru. This residence for the Ellappans, reimagines traditional Indian living in a contemporary, spatially dynamic form. Designed for a family of three- Mr. Ellappan, his wife, and their teenage son- the house expresses a deep connection to vernacular roots while […]
This multi generational home is a testament to the ability of the design practice to blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality. Keeping environmental sustainability and the welfare of the community at the forefront, Bhowal designed a home that was truly ahead of its time. His visionary approach and the Design Consortium’s expertise in providing 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 […]
Pillar design is a cornerstone of architectural elegance, seamlessly blending structural support with aesthetic appeal. Our blog, “50 Best Pillar Design Inspirations,” celebrates this essential element, showcasing a variety of styles from classical Doric and Ionic to contemporary and avant-garde innovations. Whether you’re an architect, interior designer, or a design enthusiast, these pillar design inspirations […]