The architectural intent of this school in Bangalore was to synthesize a complex design brief into a pleasant, comfortable living environment. Divya Shanthi Christian Association & Trust added this multi-programme building facility as an extension to its school and children’s home campus, located in a low-income neighborhood of Bangalore city. Also, to form a coherent neighborhood landmark that exudes positivity and optimism, emerging as a beacon of hope.
Editor’s Note: “The double-skin facade of this school in Bangalore, adorned with gracefully bent steel louvres and an operable glazing system, beckons with a unique allure. The building’s enigmatic exterior contrasts beautifully with an interior awash in vibrant hues, evoking a sense of excitement and joy.The dramatic play of shades and shadows through the veil of louvres creates a connection with the kids in school and the surroundings.” ~Simran Khare
This School in Bangalore Unify A Complex Brief Into A Pleasant Space | Flying Elephant Studio
The building houses multiple programmes that complement the needs of both the existing school campus and the larger neighbourhood community.
It includes children’s dormitories, a senior girl’s transition home, a teacher training centre, a primary healthcare clinic, a community library, science labs, a dining hall, and additional facilities for the school. Given the limited footprint available in a tight urban situation, the programme is stacked at multiple levels.
The plan allows for both necessary controls, including stringent security and privacy for the girl’s residences, and connectivity with the neighborhood backstreet and within the existing school building and campus.
The new building design re-interprets the architecture of a traditional’verandah’. It is a transitional area that functions variously as a climatic buffer, movement corridor, and social space. Thus adapting the concept to a contemporary multi-level urban structure.
A flat concrete structural slab soffit and ‘free plan’ permit maximum flexibility in the internal subdivision of space to accommodate changing needs—both specific programmes currently on different floors as well as catering to future iterations.
It incorporates a double-skin facade enclosure: the outer skin comprises a layer of bent steel louvres, while the inner combines an operable glazing system with opaque walls. The louvres shade the glazing, shelter movement corridors, and informal social spaces while providing security and privacy.
The inner glazing effectively protects assigned programme spaces from inclement weather and provides acoustic separation when needed, while allowing deep penetration of diffused daylight and cross-ventilation.
The indoor massing simulates a micro-urban environment, with ‘interior streets’ between different colour-coded programme ‘blocks’ that are articulated to suggest street edge furniture and invite human occupation.
The interior ambience is characterised by colour, cross-translucency, and reflectiveness that is set against the raw concrete surfaces of the building structure.
Viewed from the outside, the building presents an enigmatic image with interior colour splashes echoing the bold synthetic colours of neighbourhood houses, combining shadows, reflections, and transparency filtered through a veil of steel louvres.
The building engages with the local community at multiple levels. The children’s home offers a caring and secure environment for those without family support. They receive an education at Divya Shanthi School, which also caters to kids from the locality.
There is extensive accommodation for girls, which also includes a transition home that prepares young women to become independent and eventually move out into the world. A well-equipped dining facility offers mid-day meals to all students while also serving the children’s home.
Additional facilities that benefit the community include a special needs school programme and a teacher training facility. The library primarily serves the school but is also intended for use by people from the locality. A street-level primary healthcare centre provides quality medical services, including doctor consultation, a daycare bed facility, a testing lab, and a pharmacy, to the poor, free of charge.
Fact File
Designed by: Flying Elephant Studio
Project Type: Institutional Buildings
Project Name: Divya Shanthi School & Campus Upgrades
Location: Bangalore
Year Built: 2019
Project Size: 5000 Sq.ft
Design Team: Rajesh Renganathan, Iype Chacko, Matilde Chitolina, Aneesh Nandi, Kiran Chandra
Photograph Courtesy: Manoj Sudhakaran
Structure: Manjunath and Co
MEP: HMN Consultants
PMC: Gleeds
Contractors: GINA Engineering
Source: Archdaily
Firm’s Website Link: Flying Elephant Studio
Firm’s Instagram Link: Flying Elephant Studio
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 […]