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

Interior Spaces

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.

Indoors and Outdoors Transition

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.

Material Palette

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.

Construction Process

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

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