projected cantilevers and recessed windows in vibrant hues shape school in india

Shreyas Patil Architects fosters learning and play

Shreyas Patil Architects builds KLE Sanskruti Pre-primary School in Nipani, India, like a toy house. The massing has been designed with certain innocence in its rather rudimentary shapes and geometries. Entire forms of playful construction in projected cantilevers with recessed windows alongside triangles punctuating the facade makes the elevation of the school block, shaded in tones of white, cheddar, and deep cyan. The space additionally is designed by the drive of climate responsiveness — an essential criterion for learning spaces. Made possible with architecture responsive to stack effects, north lighting, and cross ventilation, a space that imparts an atmosphere of learning, reflection and sensitivity is created. 

all images by Atik Bheda

a toy house: shaped from stacked geometric volumes

Designed with care, Sanskruti Pre-primary School’s architecture embraces a playful ambiance that sparks joy and ignites curiosity in every child. Sunlit classrooms with dual-colored walls create a warm and inviting atmosphere for young learners to thrive, while spacious play areas dotted with interactive elements encourage physical activity and imaginative play. Shreyas Patil Architects styles the south-facing facade with triangular windows — some isosceles, most equilateral, but both make for interesting perspectives looking out. These windows, though, are not simply a design element; their function in the harmonious working of every element in this building is focal. From the first ring of the bell till the last, passing sunlight casts interestingly shaped shadows into the learning spaces and the triple-height court. Everything that is required for a conducive and effective learning environment.

A dual entrance on the southern front allows for the movement of the usual traffic, while a sloped entrance leads directly into the nursery’s play area. Both accesses are monitored by the centrally positioned principal’s cabin. Each floor hosts three classrooms, an activity room, and a set of his and her washrooms. The nursery’s activity room is fitted with floor to ceiling window casements to maximize the natural illumination of the volume. A shaded garden court across this space encourages learning amidst nature. Additionally, play areas on each floor ensure that students are constantly engaged with their cognition, while also continuously developing their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

KLE Sanskruti Pre-primary School in Nipani, India

vibrant tricolor scheme wraps Sanskruti Pre-primary school

A vitrified tile, mimicking a Kota grey complements the youthful tricolor theme, while the classrooms’ interior shelving takes cues from the theme of the architecture. A scatter of planter boxes on the facade, and the east and west fronts breaks the monotony of the massing. In front of recessed windows, these planter boxes also help in negating the requirements for chajjas.

From the boldest of shapes to the minutest of details, design in context to its users has been the central focus. For instance, a customized triangular-edged handrail to support a smaller grip, diagonally oriented grills to ensure safety, and a hundred- and twenty-mm staircase risers to suit the anthropometry of a child. ‘A school can only be as productive as the students within are motivated,’ notes the team at Shreyas Patil Architects.

Shreyas Patil Architects designs the massing with rudimentary shapes and geometries

a tricolor scheme of white, cheddar, and deep cyan

the space is designed by the drive of climate responsiveness

triangular windows — some isosceles, most equilateral — offer interesting perspectives

a sloped entrance leads directly into the nursery’s play area

sunlit classrooms with dual-colored walls create a warm atmosphere for young learners to thrive

spacious play areas dotted with interactive elements encourage physical activity and imaginative play

project info:

name: KLE Sanskruti Pre-primary school
architecture: Shreyas Patil Architects

design team: Shounak Nakadi, Pooja Desai, Sayali Gunjikar

location: Nipani, India

photography: Atik Bheda | @atikbheda

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom