When one thinks of a school, an immediate picture of a space brimming with energy and life is conjured in the mind. Rows of classrooms stacked one atop the other, with long endless corridors, is a bygone. A school courtyard is a space to nurture, to encourage curiosity and child-like wonder, and a space that is safe both physically and psychologically. The idea is not to be constrained in one space and be made to listen but rather to encourage freedom and playfulness.
Editor’s Note: “At Millennium World School, courtyards dictate untold stories of boundless joy, laughter, and light. Bathed in shaded trees and shifting lights, it holds a space for quietness as well as vibrant energy. Here, play and learning intertwine, knowledge is discovered, and childhoods are painted with wonders.” ~ Anusha Sridhar
This School Courtyard Nurtures Curiosity And Encourages Playfulness | Roadhouse Architects
Millennium World School is located on the outskirts of Hassan. Agricultural fields surround the south-facing site, offering a spectacular view of a lake and hills towards the northwest. The built mass lines up along the north-south axis.
It houses children from kindergarten to class 12. There are 3 distinct zones, segregated by age group and floor. An army of tall coconut trees that previously existed on site greets the visitors. The entry plaza consists of a lawn dotted with cobblestones, a large koi pond, and ledges around the coconut trees. Parents and children also utilize it as a waiting area.
Two east-facing triple-height courtyards form epicentres around which the entire built mass revolves. Kindergarten classrooms surround the first play court, which also serves as an outdoor learning space. The second, larger courtyard with stepped seating forms a nexus in the school, hosting morning assemblies, lunch breaks, events, and classes.
As one climbs up the steps, a long ribbon window reveals the picturesque landscape with trees, hills, and a lake. Dancing, singing, and yoga transform the school into a socio-cultural hub, shifting it from a space of formal learning.
Planter boxes punctuate the school corridors, cutting through the linearity and adding contrast between the rigid built mass and the softer landscape, while students actively use them to grow their own plants. Cut-outs above them bring in light, alternating on upper floors, creating shifting corridors.
Hassan experiences tropical savanna climatic conditions with distinct dry and wet seasons. The taller mass to the west houses activity rooms and labs, while the shorter mass with classrooms and courtyards is zoned to the east, ensuring mutual shading. Both zones have deep-set windows to protect from harsh sun and torrential rains.
The southern façade features angled Corten steel fins that, as they weather, create a layer of rust, adding an evolving element to the building’s appearance. These fins, along with the trees in the entry plaza, act as sunshades, protecting the interior from the intense southern sunlight.
Most classrooms are zoned in the north, overlook the playground, and bring in diffused light. Alternating built-in storage shelves between the windows create playful niches. The overall design aims to give equal emphasis to spaces that foster outdoor learning as much as indoor learning and reflect the playful energy of children.
Fact File
Designed by: Roadhouse Architects
Project Type: Educational Architecture Design
Project Name: Millennium World School Hassan
Location: Hassan, Karnataka
Year Built: 2024
Built-up Area: 125000 Sq.ft
Principal Architect: Ranjan Prabhakar
Photograph Courtesy: Ranjan Prabhakar
Project Architect: Agni Shivakumar, Manoj H S
Intern Architect: Bhumika PB, Gnanesh R, Tauqheer
Project Management Consultant: Pradeep Engineers
Structural Consultant: vision engineers
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Roadhouse Architects
Firm’s Instagram Link: Roadhouse Architects
For Similar Project>> This Sustainable School Fosters Independence and Self-reliance