In the small village of Hignigada near Baramati, Maharashtra, a young village head approached us to build an outdoor play area for school children. The school campus with a large playground divided by an avenue of seven trees, with classrooms arranged along the perimeter. Villagers fondly shared how they enjoyed evening walks and sitting under the trees. Inspired by this connection to nature & community centre space, we designed the play area around the banyan tree, making it the centrepiece of the insert.
Thoughtfully Designed Around An Existing Banyan Tree, This Community Centre Fosters Social Interaction | Craft Narrative
The result was the POD for Happiness, a multi-utility community centre seamlessly integrating with the banyan tree. It not only serves school children but also the entire village, creating a playful and communal space while preserving the open playground.
The POD takes the form of an arc that embraces the banyan tree, its porous design connecting two playgrounds. Children can climb from one end, slide down the other, and enjoy a raised bridge offering views of the school grounds and the nearby village temple.
During school hours, the POD functions as an outdoor classroom where small groups of students gather under the banyan tree’s shade. A circular seating area, made from bricks and repurposed terrazzo tiles, is perfect for painting, clay modeling, and storytelling. Intimate pockets carved into the POD provide children with cozy spaces to read.
The POD also supports cultural activities. Students practice traditional dances, rehearse music, and prepare for events, using it as a stage and practice space. During breaks, kids enjoy playing hide-and-seek in the cave-like pockets, climbing the tapered walls, swinging, and sliding.
After school, the POD becomes a lively community space. Villagers take evening walks and gather around the katta—a shaded seating area under the banyan tree, reminiscent of traditional village platforms that encourages social interaction. A library shelf adds further value, inviting both students and villagers to explore books.
The POD also transforms during cultural events, becoming an amphitheater for performances. As the school playground is the village’s largest gathering space, the POD accommodates people sitting around it, making it a hub for celebrations and shared experiences.
The POD for Happiness is more than a play area; it’s a multifunctional community space. It connects people of all ages, offering a place to read, play, swing, slide, or simply relax. Blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings, it has become an essential part of the village, enriching lives and creating a sense of togetherness under the banyan tree’s timeless shade.
We’re happy and honestly satisfied that, with a small footprint and limited funds, we could bring happiness to the faces of the children who use the POD. They have embraced it as if it had always been there, naturally blending with the banyan tree.
The POD, constructed using the ferrocement technique and finished with traditional red oxide color plaster, also incorporates waste and leftover reinforcement rods for the railings, adding a sustainable touch.
Beyond being a play area, the POD has also become a cultural and spiritual space. It serves as a gathering place for Vat Purnima rituals, where women come together to worship the banyan tree, this tradition deeply tooted in rural life. now provides a meaningful outdoor setting for these rituals, enriching the village’s cultural fabric.
It has become the backdrop for daily activities and an inseparable part of their lives and the village’s identity.
Fact File
Designed by: Craft Narrative
Project Type: Institution Architecture Design
Project Name: Pod for Happiness
Location: Baramati, Maharashtra, India
Year Built: 2024
Principal Architect: Ar. Yatindra Patil & Ar. Vijay Kharade
Team Design Credits: Bharat Yadav, Manasi, Yatindra Patil and Vijay Kharade
Photograph Courtesy: studio.f8_
Structural Consultant: Sonal N
Firm’s Instagram Link: Craft Narrative
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